GLENWOOD SPRINGS – The Bureau of Land Management has closed certain areas to help protect critical big game winter range for the season.Winter closures on lands managed by the BLM’s Glenwood Springs Field Office took effect Dec. 1, in the Castle Peak area in Eagle County, East Elk Creek area in Garfield County, and Light Hill and the Crown in Pitkin County. Seasonal gate closures are in effect annually from Dec. 1 to April 30.The lower gate at the Transfer Trail above Glenwood Springs will close today, Dec. 6, to maintain snow conditions for snowmobiling. The BLM’s Wolcott and Gypsum campgrounds are also closed for the winter and will reopen this spring when conditions allow.However, the BLM is continuing to allow motorized access through one gate at Windy Point near State Bridge and two gates in Gypsum Hills through Jan. 15 at the request of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. They are keeping the area open in hopes of facilitating more hunter harvest of elk.All areas continue to be open for non-motorized recreation such as hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding and skiing.