Detour in place to protect territorial bald eagles during breeding season.

Boulder County, Colo. - Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 15, a detour will be in place along a section of the Cradleboard Trail to protect territorial bald eagles during breeding season at the Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm.

The Stearns Lake bald eagle pair lost their nest structure when lightning hit the tree in August 2024. Their territory has few trees of adequate size to nest in, but they may choose to nest in the next-nearest tree in the same location. Therefore the Oct. 15 closure of the Cradleboard Trail will be in place again this fall, to allow the eagles to chose that site, or to choose an alternate nest site in their greater territory.

The detour will remain in place until the nesting status of the bald eagle pair is clearly confirmed for the 2024/2025 breeding season. If the eagles choose to nest off-site we will again consult Colorado Parks and Wildlife about next steps. Boulder County adheres to all state and federal protection guidelines for raptors, and may impose stricter protections as necessary.

The Stearns Lake parking lot construction project will be completed and the lot reopened by the end of October.

Updates for both closures will be posted to the boco.org/chpr webpage.