New pedestrian bridge set to be installed at Lake Pueblo on April 2

A new pedestrian bridge will be installed on April 2 at Lake Pueblo State Park over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, requiring the closure of that park entrance for the day.

The closure could extend to April 3, depending on weather conditions and other circumstances, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a news release Monday.

The pedestrian bridge is meant to improve access to Lake Pueblo State Park from the north through Pueblo West, according to the release.

No vehicle travel will be permitted in either direction on April 2 on South Nichols Road to allow construction crews to stage two cranes on the road. The cranes will lift the new pedestrian bridge and swing it into place, spanning the tracks, which run east and west through a deep ravine. The pedestrian bridge will sit on new concrete abutments and connect a recently constructed sidewalk.

The April 2 closure is expected to last from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.

“That north entrance is popular among Pueblo West residents,” said Park Manager Joe Stadterman. “We’re excited to install this pedestrian bridge and provide a safe new access over the train tracks and separated from vehicle traffic.”

Stadterman asked for patience and understanding from residents who use the road to access the park and even to reach Pueblo. “We regret the inconvenience this closure will cause,” he said. “But there is a lot of interest among trail users to finish this section. When this project is finished, trail users will be able to travel from Pueblo West all the way into downtown Pueblo.”

Important dates for camping, swimming, and boating at Lake Pueblo this year

As the weather gets warmer, Lake Pueblo will soon be shifting to spring hours, Stadterman said.

Two out of three camping sites — Arkansas Point and Juniper Breaks campgrounds — remain open all year, according to the park's website.

Currently, the Arkansas Point Campground only has bathrooms and showers open in Loop A for the winter. But starting April 1, all showers and bathrooms throughout the campgrounds will be open, according to Stadterman,

The Eagle View and Prairie Ridge campground loops, both of which have electricity, are opening on April 1 this year, along with Kettle Creek, which is a non-electric site.

Yucca Flats, which also has electricity, will be opening on April 22.

Electrical campgrounds are "fairly developed facilities," according to CPW. Individual campsites will be designated and include a high-use tent pad, picnic table, grill and/or fire ring, and individual electrical connections.

Basic campgrounds include basic facilities and improvements. Individual campsites are designated and include a table, grill and/or fire ring.

Electrical campgrounds generally range from $28 to $36 per night, while basic campgrounds range from $22 to $28 per night.

The Lake Pueblo Swimming Beach will open on Memorial Day weekend. Normal hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day weekend To Labor Day weekend, Thursday to Monday.

Currently, boat ramp access hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with aquatic nuisance species decontamination hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Starting April 1, ramp hours will change to 5 a.m. to midnight, with decontamination hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Boats may stay on the lake 24 hours a day with proper lights, but they may only launch or load during ramp or inspection hours, according to Lake Pueblo State Park's website.

If a boat comes in outside of decontamination hours and requires decontamination, they will have to return the next day to have one conducted before they are allowed to launch, said Cheyenne Vasquez, office manager at Lake Pueblo State Park.

Most inspections do not result in decontamination being required, she said. Decontamination will be required if invasive zebra or quagga mussels, or another aquatic nuisance species, are found attached to the watercraft, among a few other circumstances.

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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Why a new pedestrian bridge is coming to Lake Pueblo State Park