Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app shares trail closures to protect wintering wildlife

Ahead of the winter season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) wants to remind the outdoor community that the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) mobile app displays active trail closures, including those on trails and in areas around the state that are meant to protect wintering wildlife. COTREX provides the most comprehensive map of seasonal winter wildlife closures across the state.

COTREX is a free, easy-to-use app that provides authoritative trail information across local, state and federal agencies, helping users feel capable and confident in planning outdoor activities.

“COTREX is the only app in Colorado that displays all of this seasonal wildlife closure information in a single place,” said Joe O’Brien, State Trails Program coordinator. “We hope this effort makes it easier for recreators to understand where they can go and where they should give wildlife space during the winter.”

More than 36 agency partners use the COTREX app to post real-time advisories, including trail closures, safety hazards and other essential trail alerts. Users can plan routes, view allowed use types (such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, as well as summer uses), download offline maps, and see trip recommendations from participating partners around the state — all for free, providing a convenient and stress-free experience for outdoor enthusiasts.

• Alerts will automatically appear on the website and app, providing descriptions, boundaries and links to additional resources.
• Seasonal closures shown on COTREX apply to all types of activity, both motorized and nonmotorized.
• The closures shown on COTREX are mandatory and enforceable. Visitors may incur a fine for entering boundaries or trails that are closed. 

“When it comes to seasonal closures, COTREX is the best place to see a comprehensive map of these closures across federal, state and local properties,” said O'Brien. “We’re proud to include this one-of-a-kind resource focused on protecting wildlife across the state. Even if you use other trail apps, we recommend checking COTREX for alerts or closures and to download a free map in case you have poor cell service.”

This tool is designed to help outdoor recreationists make informed decisions about exploring an area. While all information in COTREX comes directly from the best available public sources, it can still vary in accuracy and timeliness. However, users can be confident that information comes from a trusted source.

For more information on Colorado state parks and outdoor recreation, visit cpw.state.co.us.