I'd like to take my daughter to Colorado in a few weeks and I'm just wondering if any of the campgrounds are open. If so, can we cook with a propane stove? Thanks!

My husband just returned from a motorcycle/camping trip in SW Colorado and while he did get in occassional smoke, all in all it didn't bother their trip much.

Yes you can cook with propane. You just can't have camp fires.

Check out the Coloraod State Park page.

As far as I know, most developed campgrounds are open, and although open fires aren't permitted, camp stoves are. Where are you thinking of going?

Many of the campgrounds are still open. You just have to call or check their websites. If they are not near the fires, it shouldn't be a problem. Then again, as we drove thru New Mexico, we saw several smaller state parks were closed.

All that we passed last week in CO said "no campfires". I don't know about a propane stove. Again, you'd have to ask.

Could someone tell me if there's a smoke problem in Denver? We have an optional trip coming up in a couple of weeks and would like to know whether to reschedule.

Thinking of Great Sand Dunes, Either the Gunnison or Crested Butte area, Aspen area & Rocky Mtn National Park.
Thanks!

Susan,
There's no smoke problem now. The Hayman fire, which is closest to Denver, and the cause of most of the smoke a couple of weeks ago, is now about 75% contained. The uncontained section is on the west side (the side away from Denver), so the fire is not likely to approach any closer to Denver.

I just returned from five days in Telluride. Absolutely no smoking or fires were allowed in area campgrounds but propane and Coleman fuel stoves and lanterns were allowed. It's advised that a metal protective piece should be used underneath the stove. In our area peopel were using the disposable foil roasting pans that are available in grocery stores.

Paul, it sounds like a nice trip. I tend to prefer national forest campgrounds to those in national parks; you ought to have lots of choices where you're going. Given the fire situation here, it is good to keep your plans as flexible as possible. Camping will allow you lots of choices.

We plan to drive from Las Vegas to Fort Collins, CO. July 2 and 3. As the fire problem stands now, would it be O.K. to go on US 70 or must we go way out of our way and take US 80 via Salt Lake City. I already have lung damage and the doctor says it would get worse if I go through smoke, etc.

What's the latest on the fires near Durango? Is the Million Dollar hwy/550 still open? I'm thinking of modifying my trip itinerary I have listed in another post to drive south down 550 towards Durango and Mesa Verde NP. I will not be there until about June 30/July 1 (and have no computer access after tomorrow night June 27). Any idea on whether this might still be possible or advisable?

Daphne-

I can't say how bad the smoke in that area is since I am not in the mountains. The Glenwood Springs fire is pretty well contained now. On the news tonight however, there was a new fire called Pinyon Ridge NW of the glenwood fire (most likely near your alternative route). You can find more info about the fires on www.9news.com(local denver channel). They have maps and pretty up-to-date info.

Frazzledmom-
You will also be able to get more info on 9news.com. As far as I know, 550 is still open and as long as it is open, it shouldn't alter your plans to see Mesa Verde.

One other thing:

9news.com lists info about parks/forest areas closed. It does say on the site "Denver has banned all open flames, including camp stoves in its mountain parks". To me, that means propane stoves but to be sure they have more info on their site.

Thanks Lenleigh, I will check out that website. Also, hubby has just told me he is taking his laptop so I will get updated as we progress on our trip.

you're welcome. I had checked out their website and it had a lot of helpful info. Have a good trip, lots of good sites you are hitting!

550 has closed once (Tuesday evening) for a few hours because of fires on both sides of the road. It closed to allow evacuees to get out of their subdivisions, not because of fire too close to the road. The road can get pretty smoky for about 5 miles just north of Durango. Make sure the driver keeps his/her eyes on the road; there have been a couple of near-accidents because of drivers ogling the fire.

Fire rules in Denver will differ from those in the rest of Colorado. When you enter a campground, there will be rules about stoves posted on the bulletin board where you pay your fee.

Also, please don't pull off any roads onto grass. Normally it's not a problem - we all do it, but for now, there is concern that a fire could be triggered by a hot engine near dry grass.

Travellyn-

Do you know if Sheraton Tamarron is being affected by these fires? After thinking about it, they sound really close to that area.

Tamarron is several miles north of where the fires are burning. It may get some intermittent smoke.

Thanks for the help. We went to AAA today and they gave us this site that you may find useful. www.dot.state.co.us/

Got any marshmellows? LOL!!!!