| River | County | Reach | Length (miles) | Description | Potential Classification | ORVs | Watershed (HUC Code 8) | Year Listed/ Updated | Other State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animas River | San Juan, La Plata | Mineral Creek near Silverton to Ghost Town Animas City within Durango, CO | 48 | Excellent scenery, deep canyons, surrounding mountains; popular recreation attraction, including the Durango-Silverton Narrow Guage Railway, float trips; highest-value fishery resource (FWS); very important habitat providing diverse wildlife populations; historic gold and silver mining district, historic Animas City. | Fish, Geologic, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Animas | 1982 | ||
| Arikaree River | Yuma | Alder Creek to NE/KS State line | 51 | Exceptional fish and wildlife habitat along river, especially wetlands; highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); significant waterfowl use; historic Beecher Island Indian Massacre site; Jones-Miller Hell Gap Paleo Buffalo Kill-Storage site. | Cultural, Fish, Historic, Wildlife | Arikaree | 1982 | KS | |
| Arkansas River | Otero | Entire segment within Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site | 3 | Within Historic Site, associated with reconstructed fort and river crossing of the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail. Minor recreational boat use and trail horseback crossings. | Recreational | Historic, Recreational | Upper Arkansas-Lake Meredith | 1993 | |
| Arkansas River | Lake/Chaffee | Pine Creek to Buena Vista | 14 | High mountain stream in rural setting with fisheries, cultural sites, recreation, scenic vistas, etc. with 46% public land ownership. | Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Arkansas-Lake Meredith | 1982/ 1993 | |
| Arkansas River | Chaffee/Fremont | Salida to Vallie Bridge | 20 | Mountain stream in a rural setting with fisheries, recreation, scenic vistas, etc. with 41% public ownership | Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Arkansas-Lake Meredith | 1982/ 1993 | |
| Arkansas River | Chaffee | From Buena Vista to the town of Salida | 27 | High mountain stream in rural/semi-urban setting with fisheries, cultural sites, recreation, scenic vistas, T & E species, etc. with 40% public ownership. | Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Arkansas-Lake Meredith | 1982/ 1993 | |
| Arkansas River | Fremont | Vallie Bridge to the west edge of Royal Gorge Park | 33 | Mountain valley stream in a rural setting with fisheries, recreation, scenic vistas, T & E species, etc. with 70% public ownership. | Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Arkansas-Lake Meredith | 1982/ 1993 | |
| Arkansas River | Lake/Chaffee | USFS boundary north of Leadville to Pine Creek | 31 | High mountain stream in rural setting with fisheries, cultural sites, recreation, scenic vistas, etc. with 46% public land ownership. | Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Arkansas-Lake Meredith | 1993 | |
| Badger Creek | Fremont, Park | Headwaters to confluence with Arkansas River | 34 | Deep canyon with exceptional scenery; popular with recreationists; highest valued fishery resource (FWS). | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Arkansas Headwaters | 1982 | ||
| Beaver Creek | Fremont | Skagway Reservoir to west side of Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area | 14 | High rugged mountain stream in wilderness setting with fisheries, limited recreation, scenic vistas, T & E species, etc. with 100% public land ownership. | Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife, Other | Upper Arkansas | 1993 | |
| Big Thompson River | Larimer | Entire segment within Rocky Mountain National Park | 16 | Fishery values in upper 11 miles and geologic values in lower 2.6 miles. Habitat for threatened greenback cutthroat trout, beaver, black bear, and endangered peregrine falcon. | Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Big Thompson | 1993 | |
| Big Thompson River, North Fork | Larimer | Entire segment within Rocky Mountain National Park | 5 | Habitat for threatened greenback cutthroat trout. In upper reach, river flows through alpine tundra, and mountain peaks are very accessible due to the open topography of the valley. | Wild | Fish, Recreational, Scenic | Big Thompson | 1993 | |
| Blue Creek | Gunnison | Curecanti National Recreation Area boundary downstream to Morrow Point Reservoir | 2 | Towering canyon walls and undisturbed vegetation provide aesthetic values unequaled in the surrounding area. | Wild | Scenic | Upper Gunnison | 1993 | |
| Cache la Poudre, North Fork | Larimer | Headwaters to confluence with Dale Creek | 32 | Exceptional scenery, varied topography; diverse fishery, highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); exceptional riparian habitat for game and non-game wildlife; Cannibal Phil historic site. | Fish, Historic, Scenic, Wildlife | Cache La Poudre | 1982 | ||
| Chacuaco Canyon | Las Animas | Highway 160 to confluence with Purgatoire River | 46 | Deep, scenic red canyon with intermittent stream, potholes; beautiful sandstone formations and exposed geologic processes; excellent wildlife habitat; dinosaur tracks and bones; Indian paintings, dwellings, camps, and artifacts. | Cultural, Geologic, Scenic, Wildlife | Purgatoire | 1982 | ||
| Coal Creek | Gunnison | Curecanti National Recreation Area boundary downstream to Blue Mesa Reservoir | 0 | Scenic, fishery, and wildlife values. | Wild | Fish, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Gunnison | 1993 | |
| Colorado River | Grand | Entire segment within Rocky Mountain National Park | 23 | Prehistoric sites, historic mining and lumbering camps, early homesteads, and the earliest transmountain water diversion structure in Colorado. Alpine peaks, talus slopes, and broad glacial valley. | Recreational/Scenic | Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Colorado Headwaters | 1993 | |
| Colorado River | Grand, Eagle | State Bridge to Blue River | 32 | Exceptional mountain, canyon scenery; varied high quality recreation opportunities, notably white water boating; excellent visibility of geologic processes; highest-valued fishery resource (FWS). | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Colorado Headwaters | 1982 | ||
| Conejos River | Conejos | From confluence with North, Middle, and El Rito Azul Forks to Platoro Reservoir | 6 | Recreational/Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Conejos | 1993 | ||
| Conejos River | Conejos | Platoro Reservoir to confluence with South Fork Conejos River | 15 | Recreational/Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Conejos | 1993 | ||
| Conejos River, El Rito Azul Fork | Conejos | El Rito Azul Fork from source to confluence with Conejos River | 5 | Recreational/Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Conejos | 1993 | ||
| Conejos River, Middle Fork | Conejos | Middle Fork from source to confluence with Conejos River | 5 | Recreational/Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Conejos | 1993 | ||
| Conejos River, North Fork | Conejos | North Fork from source to confluence with Conejos River | 4 | Recreational/Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Conejos | 1993 | ||
| Crystal River | Pitkin | Confluence with North and South Forks of the Crystal River to Sweet Jessep Headgate | 24 | Excellent scenery; popular with recreationists; good diversity of fish and wildlife, excellent habitat, possible Colorado cutthroat waters; highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); marble quarry for Lincoln Monument; historic mines, mining towns. | Historic, Recreational, Scenic | Roaring Fork | 1982/ 1993 | ||
| Crystal River, North Fork | Pitkin | Headwaters to confluence with Crystal River | 9 | Excellent scenery; popular with recreationists; good diversity of fish and wildlife, excellent habitat, possible Colorado cutthroat waters; highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); marble quarry for Lincoln Monument; historic mines, mining towns. | Historic, Recreational, Scenic | Roaring Fork | 1982/ 1993 | ||
| Crystal River, South Fork | Pitkin | Headwaters to confluence with Crystal River | 8 | Excellent scenery; popular with recreationists; good diversity of fish and wildlife, excellent habitat, possible Colorado cutthroat waters; highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); marble quarry for Lincoln Monument; historic mines, mining towns. | Historic, Recreational, Scenic | Roaring Fork | 1982/ 1993 | ||
| Curecanti Creek | Gunnison | Curecanti National Recreation Area boundary downstream to Morrow Point Reservoir | 1 | Scenic and fisheries values. | Scenic | Fish, Scenic | Upper Gunnison | 1993 | |
| Dolores River | Montezuma, Dolores, San Miguel, Montrose | 1.3 miles below McPhee Damsite downstream to point 1 mile above Colorado Highway 90 bridge near Bedrock | 110 | Challenging white water boating and rafting during spring and early summer. Archeological values. | Rec/Wild/Scenic | Cultural, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Other | Upper Dolores | 1993 | |
| East River | Gunnison | Headwaters to confluence with Gunnison River | 37 | Exceptional scenery, varied topography; diverse fishery, highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); excellent riparian habitat important to many wildlife species, including the wintering bald eagle, a federally listed endangered species; historic mining area, town of Gothic. | Fish, Historic, Scenic, Wildlife | East-Taylor | 1982 | ||
| Elk River | Routt | Headwaters to confluence with South Fork Elk River | 3 | Scenic/Wild | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Other | Upper Yampa | 1993 | ||
| Elk River, Middle Fork | Routt | Headwaters to confluence with North Fork Elk River | 4 | Scenic/Wild | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Other | Upper Yampa | 1993 | ||
| Elk River, North Fork | Routt | Headwaters to confluence with Middle Fork Elk River | 8 | Scenic/Wild | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Other | Upper Yampa | 1993 | ||
| Elk River, South Fork | Routt | Headwaters to confluence with Elk River | 14 | Scenic/Wild | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Other | Upper Yampa | 1993 | ||
| Encampment River | Jackson | Headwaters to Wyoming state line | 15 | Wild | Fish, Wildlife, Other | Upper North Platte | 1993 | ||
| Encampment River, West Fork | Jackson | Headwaters at West Fork Lake to confluence with Encampment River | 8 | Wild | Fish, Wildlife, Other | Upper North Platte | 1993 | ||
| Fall River | Larimer | Headwaters of Fall River to Fan Lake near Horseshoe park (within Rocky Mountain National Park) | 4 | Excellent recreational and scenic opportunities. Wildlife is visible to visitors. Self-guided auto tour teaches about historic, geologic, and recreational features. | Wild | Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Big Thompson | 1993 | |
| Gunnison River | Montrose | Entire segment within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument | 13 | Outstanding scenic canyon resources, wilderness values, and geologic features. | Scenic/Wild | Geologic, Scenic, Other | Upper Gunnison | 1993 | |
| Gunnison River, Lake Fork | Gunnison | Curecanti National Recreation Area boundary downstream to Blue Mesa Reservoir | 1 | Primarily fishing and rafting. Good breeding population of brown and rainbow trout, a small herd of bighorn sheep, and refuge for migrating bald eagles. Remnants of temporary railroad camps for construction crews. | Recreational | Fish, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Gunnison | 1993 | |
| Gunnison River, Lake Fork | Gunnison | Sloan Lake to Wager Gulch | 14 | Spectacular scenery important for recreation. | Recreational | Scenic | Upper Gunnison | 1993 | |
| Huerfano River | Pueblo | Huerfano Cucharas Ditch diversion to Cucharas River | 9 | Excellent scenery with steep-sided canyon, various geological formations; scattered pinyon-juniper at upper end; prehistoric occupation, petroglyphs, artifacts. | Cultural, Scenic | Huerfano | 1982 | ||
| Los Pinos River | Hinsdale | Confluence of North Fork and Rincon La Vaca downstream to northern boundary of Granite Peak Ranch | 22 | Tributaries are Lake Creek, Flint Creek, Rincon La Vaca, Rincon La Osa, Snowslide Canyon Creek, and Sierra Vandera. Within Weminuche Wilderness. | Wild | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Upper San Juan | 1993 | |
| Los Pinos River, North Fork | Hinsdale | From headwaters to confluence with Los Pinos River. | 4 | Tributaries are Lake Creek, Flint Creek, Rincon La Vaca, Rincon La Osa, Snowslide Canyon Creek, and Sierra Vandera. Within Weminuche Wilderness. | Wild | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Upper San Juan | 1993 | |
| Los Pinos River, Rincon La Vaca | Hinsdale | From headwaters to confluence with Los Pinos River. | 5 | Tributaries are Lake Creek, Flint Creek, Rincon La Vaca, Rincon La Osa, Snowslide Canyon Creek, and Sierra Vandera. Within Weminuche Wilderness. | Wild | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Upper San Juan | 1993 | |
| North St. Vrain Creek | Boulder | Entire segment within Rocky Mountain National Park | 9 | Alpine meadows, talus slopes, and nearly unmodified subalpine and montane forests. Habitat for golden eagles, bighorn sheep, cougar, elk, deer, and threatened greenback cutthroat trout. | Scenic/Wild | Fish, Wildlife, Other | St. Vrain | 1982/ 1993 | |
| North St. Vrain Creek | Boulder | Rocky Mountain National Park Boundary to high water mark of Ralph Price Reservoir (Sec. 18, T.3N., R.71W., 6th PM.) | 10 | Steep incised canyon of granite rock with ponderosa pine on south facing slopes and Douglas fir on north facing slopes. | Recreational/Scenic | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | St. Vrain | 1993 | |
| Piedra River | Archuleta, Hinsdale, Mineral | Headwaters to confluence with Indian Creek to boundary between Sec. 8 and 9, T.36 N., R.3 W. Middle Fork from boundary between Sec. 10 and 15, T.37 N., R.3 W. | 32 | Scenic/Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Piedra | 1993 | ||
| Purgatoire River | Bent, Otero | Smith Canyon to Arkansas River (continues upstream to Trinchera Creek in Section 13g) | 41 | Deep, scenic canyon at upper end; good flow; excellent fish and wildlife values; heavy prehistoric use in adjacent flats and canyon walls; petroglyphs; dinosaur tracks. | Cultural, Fish, Geologic, Scenic, Wildlife | Purgatoire | 1982 | ||
| Purgatoire River | Otero, Las Animas | Trinchera Creek to Smith Canton (continues downstream to Arkansas River in Section 13f) | 81 | Deep, scenic red canyon with good flowing stream; beautiful sandstone formations and exposed geologic processes; excellent fish and wildlife habitat; dinosaur tracks and bones; Indian paintings, dwellings, camps, and artifacts. | Cultural, Fish, Geologic, Scenic, Wildlife | Purgatoire | 1982 | ||
| Rio Grande River | Costilla/Conejos Boundary | Lobatos Bridge to New Mexico state line | 10 | Vertical rock walls. Uplifting, faulting, and volcanic action. Raptor nesting sites. | Wild | Cultural, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Rio Grande | 1982/ 1993 | |
| Rio Grande River | Costilla/Conejos Boundary | Lasauses to 1/4 mi. north of Labatos Bridge | 17 | Rugged landscapes, scenic vistas. | Scenic | Geologic, Historic, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Rio Grande | 1993 | |
| Rio Grande River | Costilla/Conejos Boundary, Alamosa | Alamosa Wildlife Refuge to Lasauoes | 7 | Wetlands, cultural sites, scenic vistas. | Scenic | Cultural, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Rio Grande | 1993 | |
| San Juan River | Rio Grande, Mineral, Archuleta | Confluence with East and West Forks of the San Juan River to confluence with Fourmile Creek | 7 | Excellent scenery through varied topography; diverse fishery, highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); very important habitat providing for diverse wildlife populations; route of first trans-continental telephone lines. | Fish, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper San Juan | 1982 | ||
| San Juan River, East Fork | Rio Grande, Mineral, Archuleta | Headwaters to confluence with West Fork San Juan River | 10 | Excellent scenery through varied topography; diverse fishery, highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); very important habitat providing for diverse wildlife populations; route of first trans-continental telephone lines. | Fish, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper San Juan | 1982 | ||
| San Juan River, West Fork | Rio Grande, Mineral, Archuleta | Headwaters to confluence with San Juan River | 11 | Excellent scenery through varied topography; diverse fishery, highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); very important habitat providing for diverse wildlife populations; route of first trans-continental telephone lines. | Fish, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper San Juan | 1982 | ||
| South Platte River | Douglas, Teller, Park, Jefferson | Beaver Creek to Lake George | 6 | Wide flat canyon bottom with ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir on slopes. | Recreational | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | South Platte Headwaters | 1982/ 1993 | |
| South Platte River | Douglas, Teller, Park, Jefferson | Cheesman Lake to Beaver Creek | 11 | Rocky outcrops in defined canyon with interspersed forest cover and scattered meadows. Used primarily for fishing. | Wild | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | South Platte Headwaters | 1982/ 1993 | |
| South Platte River | Douglas, Teller, Park, Jefferson | Lake George to Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir | 10 | Wide flat canyon bottom with ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir on slopes. | Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | South Platte Headwaters | 1982 | ||
| Taylor River | Gunnison | Headwaters to Illinois Creek | 18 | Fish, Historic, Recreational, Scenic | East-Taylor | 1982 | |||
| West Elk Creek | Gunnison | Curecanti National Recreation Area boundary downstream to Blue Mesa Reservoir | 0 | Free-flowing and possesses outstandingly remarkable scenic values. | Wild | Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Gunnison | 1993 | |
| White River, North Fork | Rio Blanco, Garfield | Headwaters to confluence with White river | 29 | Excellent scenery, deep canyon heavily forested with aspen and conifers, unusual and varied geologic features; very popular with recreationists; excellent game and non-game wildlife habitat; highest-valued fishery resource (FWS). | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper White | 1982 | ||
| White River, South Fork | Rio Blanco, Garfield | Headwaters to confluence with White river | 39 | Excellent scenery, deep canyon heavily forested with aspen and conifers, unusual and varied geologic features; very popular with recreationists; varied wildlife habitat provides for diverse game and non-game populations; highest valued fishery resource (FWS). | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Upper White | 1982/ 1993 | ||
| Yampa River | Moffat | The segment within the boundaries of the Dinosaur National Monument. | 47 | This river is under Congressional study for designation to the Wild and Scenic River System. It is currently under the full protection of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act pursuant to Section 7 (b) of the Act | Cultural, Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Lower Yampa | 1982/ 1995 | ||
| Yampa River | Moffat | Williams Fork to Little Snake River | 84 | Excellent varied scenery through largely natural environment, open areas, canyons, precipitous rock walls through Cross Mountain, in canyon areas; Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, bonytail chub, all federally listed endangered species; highest-valued fishery resource (FWS); excellent wildlife habitat for numerous species; walls of Cross Mountain contain notable Indian rock art site. | Cultural, Fish, Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Lower Yampa | 1982 |
Last updated: November 30, 2016