The US Fish and Wildlife service has decided to close the former Bureau of Mines campus that houses Coldwater Spring.

The US Fish and Wildlife service has primarily used governments' favorite shield of  "safety" concerns, to justify their decision to close the property to the entire public, unless they have a pre authorized special use permit for a designated time period.

The real issues are more likely the less cited vandalism that has been occurring; from break-ins to the buildings, and theft of property, to a drunk driver running his car into the front gate.

Since there has been no reporting of these activities happening during the previous normal open hours of 9AM to 3PM, it's unclear how shutting down the property entirely will prevent after hours break-ins and vandalism.
            
In any case, to obtain a special use permit to visit the spring call the US Fish and Wildlife Service at 612-713-5306. They will mail you a form to fill out, which you mist return and then they will mail you the permit, which will be for a designated time and day.


You can read the US Fish and Wildlife's official statement on their website that is linked in the panel on the left of this screen