Post Date: 08/16/2019 12:00 PM

Information updated as of 08/16/2019

On August 1, Tri-County Health Department recommended closure of numerous sites in Commerce City due to plague-carrying fleas affecting the prairie dog colonies. Numerous sites with plague-infected fleas affecting local prairie dog colonies will remain closed through Labor Day Weekend so that authorities can continue to treat the prairie dogs’ holes with insecticide to kill any remaining fleas that could transmit the disease to prairie dogs, people, and pets.

In Commerce City, the Prairie Gateway Open Space remains closed, along with the vacant fields along East 56th Avenue near the intersections with Quebec Street and Valentia Street.

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge will reopen to visitors on Saturday, August 17, including the refuge’s Visitor Center, Wildlife Drive, and recreational fishing access. Some trails and parking lots will remain closed through Labor Day weekend due to ongoing monitoring and plague management efforts. These areas are clearly marked and will reopen to visitors in early September. For up-to-date information about visitor access and activities, please visit www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky_mountain_arsenal.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is open and hosting all activities, but is restricting cars to asphalt parking areas. Updates are available at www.dickssportinggoodspark.com.

First Creek at DEN Open Space will remain closed through Labor Day weekend. The area is located between the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and Pena Boulevard, north of 56th Avenue on Buckley Road.

Our highest priority is the health and safety of our residents. Based on information received from public health organizations, the risk for plague remains low. There are no known human cases at this time, but people should be aware of the common symptoms of plague – fever, swollen and tender lymph nodes, chills, and extreme exhaustion and contact their health care provider if they show signs of symptoms.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/plague.