Rocky Flats

Rocky Flats NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky_flats https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Flats_National_Wildlife_Refuge The Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 16 miles (26 km) northwest of Denver, Colorado. The refuge is an expanse of grasslands, shrublands and wetlands, including rare xeric tallgrass prairie, where natural processes support a broad range of native wildlife. Rocky Flats is home to various animals, including a herd of 150 elk, occasional black bear, mountain lions, and moose; as well as badgers, bats, coyote, two species of owl, mule deer, northern flicker, white pelican, black-tailed prairie dog, and porcupine. The site also contains an estimated 630 plant species.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service This blue goose, designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge Trails Welcome Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge offers expansive views of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and rolling prairie grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. This 5,237-acre Refuge has been managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 2007 to restore and preserve the native prairie ecosystems, provide habitat for migratory and resident wildlife, conserve and protect habitat for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, and provide research and education opportunities. The Refuge is home to 239 migratory and resident wildlife species, including the prairie falcons, deer, elk, coyotes, songbirds, and the federally threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. Over 630 species of plants and a variety wildflowers bloom here from spring through fall. Xeric tallgrass prairie habitat is found on the Refuge, one of the largest areas of this globally rare ecosystem. Site History Native Americans intermittently occupied these lands prior to the 1800s. In 1868, the Scott family established a homestead here to raise cattle. Lindsay Ranch was built in the 1940s and today the barn and remnants of the house can be seen along the Lindsay Ranch trail. In 1951, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission acquired the site to develop the Rocky Flats Plant to produce plutonium triggers for nuclear weapons. The Plant was one of 13 nuclear weapon production sites to support national defense. Operated from 1952 to 1989, most of the site was undisturbed, preserving the different habitats now protected by the Refuge. When the site was closed, the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment oversaw the $7 billion cleanup of the site that was completed in 2005. Today, the Department of Energy maintains 1,300 acres as a Legacy Site to monitor for any outflow from the site. Exploring the Refuge We invite you to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Refuge. To help protect wildlife and habitats, please keep the following rules in mind: ■■ Visitor access is limited to designated trails and roads as shown on the map. All other areas are closed to visitor access. ■■ Observe all posted signs and regulations. ■■ Park only in the designated areas shown on the map. ■■ Assistance dogs are welcome and must be under leash control at all times. All other pets are prohibited. Trails There are 11 miles of trails open year-round for hiking, bicycling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Refuge trails meander through mixed and tallgrass prairie grasses. Trail surfaces are crushed gravel or dirt. ■■ Lindsay Ranch Trail (1.4 mi) ■■ Walnut Creek Trail (1.0 mi) ■■ Woman Creek Trail (3.0 mi) ■■ Rocky Mountain Greenway (4.9 mi) Wildlife Viewing ■■ Best viewing times are at sunrise and sunset. ■■ Practice good wildlife viewing ethics by observing wildlife from a safe distance. ■■ Quietly observe wildlife. ■■ Use binoculars or a camera for close up viewing. ■■ Avoid standing under perched birds and bird nests – this is stressful to hawks, owls, and young or nesting birds. Wildlife to Watch for Along the Way ■■ Resident Wildlife – Mule and white-tailed deer, red-tailed hawks, prairie dogs, elk, coyotes, black-tailed jackrabbit, and porcupines. ■■ Migratory Wildlife – Songbirds, shorebirds, and Swainson’s hawks. Accessibility Information Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. Dial 711 for a free connection to and from people with hearing and speech disabilities. For more information or to address accessibility needs, please contact Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge staff at 303 / 289 0930 or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge Mailing address: 6550 Gateway Road Commerce City, CO 80022-1748 Street address: 10801 Highway 93 Golden, CO 80402 303 / 289 0930 303 / 289 0579 fax rockyflats@fws.gov http://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky_flats For State Relay Service: TTY / Voice: 711 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at http://www.fws.gov For Refuge Information: 1 800 / 344 WILD August 2018 Rocky Flats N National Wildlife Refuge Sensitive wildlife habitat area (closed to visitor access) Refuge boundary 200 Highway / street Department of Energy Legacy Site (closed to visitor access) Trail Staff road (No visitor access) 0 0 128 ek Ro Wa ln ut C Rocky Flats NWR 1 Kilometers re C ck Lindsay Ranch Loop (1.4 mi) .5 Walnut Creek Loop (1.0 mi) Restroom Superior 1 Miles Refuge Entrance Parking Lake / creek .5 Lindsay Ranch ree k Broomfield 128 Great Western Reservoir 93 Great Western Reservoir Westminster 72 Not to Scale Welton