Starting December 1, Centennial Cone Park will be closed to most recreational activities to make way for the year's late-season hunting period. This annual closure, which runs through the end of January, is designed to allow licensed hunters to help manage wildlife populations in the area.
But don't fret, you can still enjoy the Mayhem Gulch parking area along US Hwy 6, which remains open for those looking to take in the sights without trekking into the heart of the hunting zone. For the majority of us looking to indulge in more diverse park activities, we’ll have to hold off until February 1, when the gates swing open again for multi-use recreation, according to Jeffco Open Space.
The hunting licenses up for grabs are no free-for-all, if you want to get in on the action, you'll need to tick some boxes with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, they're the ones issuing the permits. This includes a valid late-season license for antlerless elk, female, or either-sex deer in the Jefferson County slice of Game Management Unit 38. Tally up those CPW points and you could be one of the lucky lottery winners, who after an obligatory online orientation, get to play an active role in curbing the deer and elk numbers.
Since its inception in 1972, Jeffco Open Space has been on a mission, driven by sales tax revenues to preserve and protect the natural hangouts we all love. With more than 56,000 acres under its guardianship and 27 open space parks, Jeffco has become a major player in safeguarding Colorado's nature spots, as detailed by Jeffco Open Space.
