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GUNNISON, Colo. – The hours of operations for the boat ramps and aquatic invasive species (AIS) stations on the Blue Mesa Reservoir at Curecanti National Recreation Area will be reduced as fall begins and daylight hours decrease. Staffing levels also drop in the fall.
Starting Tuesday September 2, 2025:
- The Iola Boat Ramp and AIS station hours will be 7:00 am to 3:00 pm daily.
- The Elk Creek Boat Ramp and AIS station hours will be 6:30 am to 7:00 pm daily.
- The Lake Fork Boat Ramp and AIS station hours will be 7:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.
The Iola, Elk Creek, and Lake Fork boat ramps and AIS stations typically close for the winter when ice makes boat ramps unsafe for launching, usually in November or December.
Motorized and trailered watercraft launching in Blue Mesa Reservoir are required to be inspected for aquatic invasive species prior to launching, and if necessary, decontaminated in accordance with procedures set by Colorado Parks & Wildlife. In addition to the mandatory inspection prior to launch, boaters are strongly encouraged to get an exit inspection to verify that watercraft is cleaned, drained, and dried. Exit inspections from Blue Mesa Reservoir, which provide an unbroken seal and white receipt, greatly reduce the time for re-entrance on any Colorado waters.
Thank you to all boaters for ensuring that Blue Mesa Reservoir remains free of aquatic invasive species.
Learn more about Curecanti and boating on the webpage www.nps.gov/cure.
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Last updated: August 26, 2025