A winter closure of the Tenderfoot Meadows Open Space and Summit County Resource Allocation Park trail system will begin Dec. 1 and run through April 1, according to a news release from the county government.

The property surrounding the trail system, located between Dillon and Keystone, serves as a habitat for elk and mule deer herds during the winter months when females are pregnant and forage becomes scarce, the release states. During this time of year, the animals reduce their movement to conserve fat stores. The goal of the closure is to minimize animal anxiety caused by human recreational traffic.

“Off-leash dogs, bikes and even just the presence of humans can cause wildlife to flee from the perceived threat,” Summit County Open Space and Trails resource specialist Jordan Mead said in a statement. “People may not see it happen immediately, but severely stressed animals eventually starve to death when fat stores are used up.”

The closure was approved by the Summit Board of County Commissioners as part of the 2023 Tenderfoot Meadows Open Space Management Plan amendment. The closure also complements seasonal travel restrictions on neighboring U.S. Forest Service trails in the Tenderfoot Mountain trail system, which are closed to vehicles from Oct. 9, through June 30, according to the news release.

In a survey, 75% of Tenderfoot Meadows Open Space users either “strongly supported” or “somewhat supported,” the winter closure.

Summit County Open Space and Trails also manages winter closures on the Doig Meadow, Cow Camp and Trudy Robinson open spaces from Dec. 1 to April 30 for winter elk habitat, along Fremont Pass from Nov. 23 to April 30 for lynx habitat, and along the Swan Mountain Rec Path from Summit Cove to Sapphire Point from Dec. 1 to March 31 for winter elk habitat.