STERLING, Colo. – The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission enacted Wednesday a pilot program for a timed entry reservation system for vehicles accessing Eldorado Canyon State Park on every Saturday, Sunday and federal or state holiday in a defined period between 2022-23.
This is the first timed entry system enacted at a Colorado state park. It was developed through a collaboration of local government partners as well as feedback from the public to help address concerns for both park users and local residents.
“We are really excited about this and it is the first state park that we have done this timed entry reservation system, sort of following up on Rocky Mountain National Park and some other parks throughout the nation,” CPW Northeast Region Manger Mark Leslie said at Wednesday’s commission meeting. “In May of last year, the Commission approved (the park’s) Visitor Use Management Plan and so we are moving forward implementing portions of that plan incrementally… This is just related to vehicles because when we’ve done surveys of that park, that seems to be what drives the frustration with the public is the number of vehicles.”
Park manager John Carson had previously said “our hope is the reservation system will reduce impacts to the community of Eldorado Springs, protect natural resources and maintain a safe, quality recreational experience for years to come. The proposed system will help visitors plan for their visit while managing their expectations of entry into the park.”
Reservations could begin as early as August running through Sept. 15 for 2022, with the exact starting date to be announced once it is determined. For 2023, reservations will be required May 15 through Sept. 15.
The entry reservations are required for vehicle access only on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and holidays during this period. Visitors without a vehicle reservation will still be able to access the park via the free shuttle service as long as they possess a valid Colorado state parks pass. Please visit Eldoshuttle.com for more information on the free shuttle service.
Reservation windows are from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will be accepted in a two-hour entry window.
Day use reservations are limited to one per person, per day. Each person is limited to a maximum of four reservations per month. The individual named on the reservation must be in the motor vehicle.
Entry reservations will be allocated free of charge. A valid Colorado state parks will be required to enter along with the reservation.
Park capacity is set for 200 vehicles. Staff will designate 90 percent of those spaces for the reservation system, with visitors having the opportunity to reserve them up to one month in advance. The remaining 10 percent will be made available for reservation the day prior beginning at 3 p.m.
The proposed timed entry reservation system would be implemented and distributed at CPWshop.com using Aspira, the reservation and licensing system CPW utilizes.
Park staff will evaluate the effectiveness of the timed entry reservation system at the conclusion of the 2023 pilot season.
Eldorado Canyon State Park reaches vehicle capacity on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays starting in April and lasting through October. Visitation has increased 118 percent since 2013, when the park welcomed 247,068 visitors compared to the 539,525 in 2021.
Visitors to the park come both from the local level, as well as outside of Colorado. Around 25 percent of visitors are residents of Boulder County, 50 percent come from the Denver metropolitan area while 25 percent of visitors come from outside of Colorado and internationally.
To learn more about Eldorado Canyon State Park and its recreational opportunities, please visit us online by clicking here.
Category: Nature & Science
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Vehicle timed entry reservation pilot program gets approved for Eldorado Canyon State Park
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Rattlesnakes: new podcast episode discusses how you can stay safe if you encounter one this spring, summer and fall
Photo courtesy of D. Herasimtschuk DENVER – Rattlesnakes have a lot of misconceptions or folklore surrounding them because they are often perceived as mysterious and are generally misunderstood. Colorado Parks and Wildlife species conservation coordinator Tina Jackson has spent the last 20 years learning about snakes, and she shared her knowledge of rattlesnakes in the latest Colorado Outdoors podcast, episode No. 28, released Wednesday.
Click here to listen to the podcast episode on rattlesnake
Colorado is home to about 30 species of snakes. Of these, only three snakes are a risk to humans; the prairie rattlesnake, the Western rattlesnake and the massasauga rattlesnake.
Western and prairie rattlesnakes are widespread through Colorado and found in most terrestrial landscapes below 9,000 feet in elevation. The massasauga rattlesnake is found on Colorado’s southeastern plains, restricted to dry grasslands and sandhills below 5,5000 feet in elevation.
Learn more about rattlesnakes from this blog post Jackson penned on rattlesnakes.
Rattlesnakes have a distinctly triangular head that is much broader than the neck. They have thick bodies, whereas non-venomous snakes with a few exceptions, are lithe and slender. Bullsnakes, corn snakes and the western hognose snake are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because they possess similar color patterns and will mimic the defensive behavior of a rattlesnake. Look for the sharply pointed tail, round pupils and oval-shaped head to distinguish these species from native rattlesnakes.
If you encounter a rattlesnake, your first step should be to freeze in place. Snakes are often heard before they are seen. Freezing movement will reduce the threat you pose to the snake and help you assess the situation. Slowly back away from the snake once you locate it.
Rattlesnakes can strike to a distance of half their body length, and a good rule of thumb is to put at least five feet between yourself and the snake. Most often, rattlesnake bites to humans occur when people try to handle them or move them out of the way. It is best to keep your distance from them – move around them instead of actually moving them yourself.
As temperatures warm and people tend to spend more time outside, more encounters with rattlesnakes will occur. It is best to stay alert, keep your earbuds out and music off so you can hear their warning, and keep your dogs on a leash.
Extra caution is needed in the mornings and evenings when snakes are most active and visible. They have a fairly predictable pattern of activity – cool spring and fall temperatures require the snakes to bask in the sun on warm surfaces early in the day, which often includes pavement or trails that humans frequent. Rattlesnakes usually hunt at night after they have become warm enough for such activity.
If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, move carefully away to a safe location. Remain calm and allow the bite to bleed freely for 30 seconds. Cleanse and disinfect the bite area with iodine, or soap and water. Call ahead to the nearest hospital so they can plan accordingly for your visit.
Rattlesnakes are a regulated species and cannot be killed when you come across one on a hike. The legal take of a prairie rattlesnake requires the individual to possess a small game hunting license and its open season runs June 15-Aug. 15, annually.
Remember, snakes are an important part of our ecosystem. Visit us online to learn more about rattlesnakes in Colorado and also see our Quick Key To Amphibians and Reptiles of Colorado.Photos below courtesy of D. Herasimtschuk
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Flu likely cause of horse deaths at Colorado BLM facility
CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) _ An equine influenza virus is the likely cause of a respiratory disease outbreak that has killed about 100 wild horses at a federal holding facility in southern Colorado.
Bureau of Land Management officials say two leading veterinary diagnostic labs identified the virus in nasal swabs and lung tissue from several horses at the agency’s Wild Horse and Burro Corrals in Canon City, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) southwest of Denver.
The facility remains under a voluntary quarantine, and all of the horses there will be kept on the property until they are healthy and pose no risk to domestic horses in the community.
The horses that have been most affected by the disease were gathered from the West Douglas area last fall following a wildfire that impacted their habitat.
“This tragic outcome was influenced by a population of horses that may have been particularly vulnerable given their time in the West Douglas area and their exposure to last year’s wildfire that prompted their emergency gather,” said Ben Gruber, BLM Colorado acting associate state director
The outbreak started April 23, and 95 horses have died as of Thursday.
The strain of flu, which is not uncommon among wild and domestic horses, is not related to the current outbreak of the avian influenza that is affecting wild birds and poultry across the country. -
More evacuations expected near dangerous Southwest wildfires
Editors Note MAJOR UPDATE: Recasts to update throughout with more evacuations in works, fire spread exceeding expectation, no new structures lost, fresh quotes, forecasts; edits, trims previous. Links additional photos. With AP Photos. AP Video.
By MORGAN LEE AND CEDAR ATTANASIO
Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) _ Thousands of firefighters battled destructive wildfires in the Southwest as more residents prepared to evacuate Friday into the weekend in northern New Mexico where strong winds and dangerously dry conditions have made the blazes hard to contain.
The biggest fire in the U.S. grew to more than 117 square miles (303 square kilometers) through the afternoon northeast of Santa Fe. Gusty winds prevented any aerial attacks by midmorning and crews lost some of the containment they had established in previous days.
The rapid rate of the spread of the fire was exceeding dire predictions in some areas, incident commander Carl Schwope said Friday night.
“We’re in a very dangerous situation. Evacuation statuses are changing as we speak,” he warned at a briefing in Las Vegas, New Mexico, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Santa Fe.
More air and ground forces were on the way, he said, to fortify the nearly 1,000 firefighters on the fire lines there and winds that gusted up to 65 mph were beginning to subside as nightfall approached.
There were no immediate reports of any new structures have been lost since the local sheriff confirmed Thursday night at least 166 homes have been destroyed in northeast New Mexico’s rural San Miguel County.
But erratic wind shifts in some of the driest conditions the region has seen in years were forecast again Saturday, and authorities were making preparations to evacuate some residents as far north as Taos.
“Just getting people out of the way, that’s been the mission today,” Sheriff Chris Lopez said at the briefing in Las Vegas. Some of the most active fire was heading in the direction of that town but he said the town itself was not in immediate danger.
Fire lines were bolstered outside the rural New Mexico community of Ledoux in efforts to save structures, and they appeared to be holding.
More than 2,000 firefighters were battling fires in Arizona and New Mexico on Friday _ about half of those in northeast New Mexico, where a total of more than 187 square miles (484 square kilometers) of mostly timber and brush have been charred.
Red flag warnings for extreme fire danger were in place Friday for nearly all of New Mexico and parts of Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
The fires are burning unusually hot and fast for this time of year, especially in the Southwest, where experts said some timber in the region is drier than kiln-dried wood.
“We still have some fire weather to get through tonight, tomorrow and several days afterwards,“ fire behavior specialist Stewart Turner said at Friday night’s briefing in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
“It’s very important that everybody pays attention to the evacuation orders because this is a very, very serious fire _ very dangerous fire behavior out there.”
Matthew Probst, Las Vegas-based medical director for the health clinic network El Centro Family Health, said the nearby fire has swept through impoverished communities already frayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Here, you’re losing meager homes, but it’s everything. It’s all they had,” said Probst, a coordinator of county health services for wildfire evacuees.
Rural families in the area were caught off guard after heading home from an early evacuation _ only to be ambushed by a fast-moving fire last week.
A 79-year-old widow from the tiny community of Sapello left her house and a blue heeler cattle dog for a doctor’s appointment, with boxes packed for possible evacuation with jewelry and her 1964 wedding photos. Winds kicked up, and police said it was too late to go back for anything.
“They said, ‘No ma’am, it’s far too dangerous,’ ” said Sonya Berg in a phone interview Friday from an emergency shelter at a nearby middle school.
A close friend says the house burned, but Berg doesn’t want to believe it. A neighbor rescued the dog.
“I’m in denial until I go and see it,” said Berg, whose husband passed away in 2019 and was buried outside the home. “He’s up there, he’s been through the whole thing. I’m hoping the gravestone we put up is still there.”
In the Jemez Mountains east of Los Alamos, another wildfire spanning 12 square miles (30 square kilometers) crept in the direction of Bandelier National Monument, which closed its backcountry hiking trails as a precaution while central visiting areas remained open.
In northern Arizona, authorities are nearing full containment of a 30 square-mile (77 square-kilometer) blaze that destroyed at least 30 homes near Flagstaff and forced hundreds to evacuate. A top-level national management team turned it back over to the local forest Friday.
“It’s pretty stable for the most part,” said Coconino National Forest spokeswoman Randi Shaffer. “We’re not seeing any forecasted crazy weather patterns. We have fire crews monitoring, all of our suppression efforts have been holding.”
Some residents near another fire 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Prescott haven’t been allowed back home. Firefighters have about one-third of the 14 square-mile (37-square-kilometer) fire’s perimeter contained. Lighter winds were expected into the weekend, but low humidity will be a concern, fire officials said.
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Associated Press writer Scott Sonner contributed to this report from Reno, Nevada. Attanasio reported from Santa Fe. Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. -
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to meet May 4 – 5
DENVER – At a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting in Sterling, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will discuss “Big Game” regulations related to adoption of all limited license numbers for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and black bear for all Game Management Units in the state that have limited licenses for these species for the 2022 big game seasons. “Nongame Wildlife” regulations and emergency regulations related to removing rubber buckshot and rubber slugs from the list of authorized hazing techniques will also be addressed.
The CPW Commission will also discuss “Parks and Outdoor Recreation Lands” regulations related to pilot testing a timed entry reservation system at Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program final recommendations and CWHP recommended proposals at its meeting on Wed., May 4 and Thu., May 5. The meeting will be streamed live on CPW’s YouTube page.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. on Wed., May 4 and adjourn at 2:15 p.m. The commission will reconvene at 8:30 a.m. on Thu., May 5 and adjourn at 11 a.m.
Additional agenda items include:- Department of Agriculture update
- Department of Natural Resources update
- Financial update
- Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) update
- Chronic Wasting Disease update
- Wolf Planning update
A complete agenda along with all materials for public review for this meeting can be found on the CPW website. The public is encouraged to email written comments to the commission at . Details on providing public comments are available on the CPW website.
The commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. Anyone can listen to commission meetings through the CPW website. This opportunity keeps constituents informed about the development of regulations and how the commission works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to manage the parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency. Find out more about the commission on the CPW website.
The next commission meeting is scheduled to take place on June 1 and 2. -
Antero Reservoir to open to boating on Sunday, May 1
The south boat ramp at Antero Reservoir, taken Friday, April 22 (courtesy of CPW)
The aquatic nuisance species (ANS) inspection station at the south ramp will be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning May 1 and running through Sept. 30. From Oct. 1-31, the ramp will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so long as there is no ice on the reservoir.
The north boat ramp will not open until May 26 and stay in operation through Sept. 4. That ANS inspection station is open Thursday through Sunday, with its hours of operation being 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The reservoir had been covered with ice on the week of April 18, but the strong winds and mostly mild temperatures helped the ice recede rapidly.
CPW reminds all boaters that boat inspection for aquatic nuisance species is mandatory. All watercraft that are not hand-launched and human-powered will need to be inspected at the boat ramps. This includes any and all vessels utilizing electric trolling motors.
Zebra and quagga mussels, along with a variety of other ANS, are a serious threat to Colorado waters. Invasive species such as the zebra mussel negatively influence the food chain for native fish. The mussels reproduce prolifically, consume phytoplankton and devastate fisheries. The small mollusks also grow on engines and boats, and can clog water pipes and dam mechanisms.
Boat owners are urged to clean, drain and dry their boats thoroughly before they launch for the first time this season. After that, owners should do so every time they leave the water.
The bag and possession limit for trout at Antero Reservoir is two, while the daily bag and possession limit on tiger muskie is one, and it must be at least 36 inches long. Fish caught and placed on a stringer, in a container or live well, or not returned to the water immediately count in the daily bag and possession limit. See our 2022 Fishing regulations brochure for more information.
For detailed fishing information, including species stocked at Antero Reservoir, please see the most recent fish survey and management data summary.
[WATCH] Spawning brown trout at Antero Reservoir
In order to keep water-based activities carefree and risks at a minimum, it is important to keep basic safety practices in mind. The Colorado Boating Safety Program promotes safe vessel operation while enhancing boating experiences.-
Check your equipment
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Wear the proper life vest
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Attend a Boating Safely in Colorado course
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Get a safety inspection on your vessel
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Review navigation techniques
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Learn what to do in the event of an accident
Antero is Denver Water’s first collection reservoir on the South Platte River. Geologists believe Antero Reservoir occupies the site of a former lake-bed called Green Lake. While Green Lake lies submerged within the reservoir, an extinct volcano, Buffalo Peaks, looms above.
The north side area of the reservoir is a day-use area only (no camping allowed), but 38 first-come, first-served campsites are available at the south side campground and boat ramp.
To learn more about Antero Reservoir, please visit Denver Water’s website.
Photos below courtesy of Jason Clay/CPW.
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Statement on Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Statement from Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Dan Gibbs on Colorado Parks and Wildlife:
“Last week I received several complaints about inappropriate comments and interactions at Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) Partners in Outdoors Conference in Vail, CO. As the Executive Director of Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources, equitable, inclusive access for all to our programs, events, and the outdoors are a priority personally and integral to the mission and culture of DNR. DNR has commenced a fact finding investigation to better understand what occurred and to help inform any future personnel or department actions. We will follow our processes and procedures in regards to complaints received associated with the conference.
In light of the complaints and events at the conference, I have placed Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Dan Prenzlow on administrative leave, and designated Heather Dugan as Acting Director for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Heather is currently Assistant Director for Field Services for CPW overseeing operations including training and investigations associated with protecting Colorado’s wildlife and providing a safe and enjoyable recreational experience for visitors to Colorado. During her 30 year career, Heather has worked as a full-time ranger, a training coordinator, instructor, and a region manager.” -
Chatfield State Park making change to boat ramp in operation
LITTLETON, Colo. – Chatfield State Park is switching its boat ramp in operation to its larger ramps on the northern side of the reservoir, effective immediately.
The north boat ramp has eight launch lanes and four courtesy docks.
The hours of operation for the north boat ramp Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) inspection station will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Reopening of the south boat ramp will be announced when adequate staffing is available to operate a second ANS inspection station on the south side of the reservoir.
Please click here to see a map of the state park. -
CPW recognizes outstanding partnership contributions with the 2022 Partners in the Outdoors Awards and Grants
Colorado Parks and Wildlife presents the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative with its Statewide Partner of the Year Award.
CPW’s annual Partners in the Outdoors awards recognize partner organizations that have made outstanding efforts in support of Colorado’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) and CPW’s Strategic Plan. Organizations are nominated by CPW staff for their significant efforts in conservation, stewardship, outdoor education and/or research, with award winners selected by CPW regional leadership.
This year, CPW awarded $100,000 in grant funding through its Partners in the Outdoors Grants program. These grants are a unique element of the conference, with all organizations attending the annual conference eligible to apply. Besides the Statewide Partner of the Year and the Statewide Collaboration award, each of CPW’s four regions honors a partner organization for working to uphold those strategic goals.
In the introduction to the awards ceremony, CPW Director Dan Prenzlow said, “The Partner of the Year Awards are presented to those who have displayed outstanding efforts in support of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s mission. Each of the organizations honored plays an integral role in advancing and balancing outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado.”
Statewide Partner of the Year: Colorado Fourteeners Initiative
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) protects and preserves the natural integrity of Colorado’s 14,000–foot peaks —the “Fourteeners”— through active stewardship and public education.
Established in 1994, CFI hires crews and passionate volunteers to maintain, reroute and repair the trails that take an estimated 415,000 hikers every year to special alpine places. The work conditions require long hikes, the ability to move heavy rocks and 5 a.m. start times to conduct much-needed trail maintenance.
CFI’s work contributes to the goals of SCORP by supporting public land access, building a stewardship ethic and addressing recreation impacts. To provide a more robust understanding of changing conditions on 14er trails, CFI began the Sustainable Trails Program in 2010. This effort was conducted foot-by-foot, with GPS-based inventories of all constructed trail features and resource concerns. Over two phases and five years of data collection, CFI assessed the condition of all 56 principle 14er routes. The updated 2019 “14er Report Card” outlines $12.8 million in needed new summit trail construction projects and a further $5.6 million in major improvements to existing trails. CFI uses this data to both educate and prioritize future work plans. CFI has become the nation’s leading high altitude trail building, terrain restoration and visitor education organization through its ongoing work protecting this special network of trails, and its work has garnered honors and awards from Congress, the U.S. Forest Service and the Coalition for Recreational Trails.
Statewide Collaboration Award: Colorado Department of Education; Colorado Alliance for Environmental Educators
The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) is a professional organization for environmental educators in Colorado. CAEE was established as a nonprofit in 1989 to serve the shared interests of public agencies, businesses, teachers, community organizations and individuals providing environmental education materials and programs. Since then, CAEE has grown to more than 850 members across Colorado. Members cover virtually every subject discipline from anthropology to zoology, and have learners across the lifespan, from early childhood educators, elementary and high school teachers, camp counselors and university professors.
Fostering a love of the outdoors and an interest in being active stewards of our natural resources starts by building lifelong habits from an early age. CAEE, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and CPW have been collaborating on a number of projects to support K-12 students by building a solid understanding of Colorado’s precious natural resources. The Colorado Environmental Education Plan was adopted by the Colorado State Board of Education in 2012 and is currently in the final stages of updating by CAEE, CDE and CPW. The plan includes goals to support educators in strengthening collaborations with key stakeholders, access to professional development, access to outdoor experiences for all students and support in creating pathways for career exploration opportunities. These goals directly align with CPW’s goals to maintain dedicated personnel and volunteers, increase awareness and trust for CPW and connect people to the outdoors.
Northwest Region Partner of the Year: Headwaters Trails Alliance
Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) is a nonprofit advocacy organization for trails in scenic Grand County, Colorado. Surrounded by mountain peaks and passes, Grand County streams are the headwaters of the Colorado River. HTA works hard to provide high-quality trails linking towns and recreational areas within Grand County, with secondary trail systems connecting historical, cultural and recreational sites within the local communities.
During the 2021 field season, HTA reported 1,351 hours spent on trails with a total of 6,158 volunteer hours. This includes 530 miles of trail maintenance, 9,718 hazardous trees removed, 2,320 drains cleared or constructed in wetlands, 27,720-feet of new trail construction, and 18,480-feet of trail reroutes to promote sustainability and social trail decommissioning.
HTA works closely with outdoor government agencies, local land management agencies, local municipalities, land developers and CPW to promote sustainable trail systems for public use. CPW has partnered with HTA on a variety of projects to promote developing trails with wildlife in mind, advocate for sustainable trail systems and sponsor educational events around the community.
Southeast Region Partner of the Year: Get Outdoors Leadville!
Get Outdoors Leadville! (GOL!) supports a mission to deepen the community’s connection to the natural world by expanding equitable access to culturally informed and enriching outdoor experiences.
GOL! is dedicated to helping the Leadville community to find connections in nature, and they work to facilitate access and remove barriers so that all can enjoy the outdoors. They partner not only with CPW but with other local organizations to support outdoor community and school programming. GOL! works with many local and trusted community-based organizations to help expand their reach. One such organization is Full Circle of Lake County whose mission focuses on youth development, community empowerment and family services. Full Circle also works with immigrant families in Leadville and helps GOL! bridge the gap between Spanish-speaking members of the community. Other unique programs they launched include a Latinx Family Campout program. GOL! also expands its reach beyond Lake County with its Taking Kids Outdoors training for teachers and administrations across the state. The training focuses on teaching how to take students and their learning outside in a safe and inclusive way.
Northeast Region Partner of the Year: Jeffco Open Space
Jeffco Open Space (JCOS) was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972 by PLAN Jeffco and The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County. Funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax, JCOS contributes to city and park district projects and preserves more than 56,000 acres, manages 27 open space parks and more than 261 miles of trails in Jefferson County, Colorado.
The willingness of JCOS to assist CPW with wildlife management, wildlife education and hunter outreach efforts is exemplary. From raptor monitoring to coordinating access for CPW hunter outreach programs, and providing support when contentious wildlife conflicts arise, JCOS staff go above and beyond to provide detailed documentation of wildlife sightings, wildlife population monitoring and wildlife conflicts on JCOS properties. This communication with CPW on all wildlife matters helps ensure that a collaborative approach is taken when solving wildlife management challenges in the county.
JCOS’s partnership and support of CPW outreach hunting programs, disease monitoring, and an elk radio collar study are helping pave the way for better management of healthy elk and deer populations. JCOS works to keep wildlife in mind, and their actions to conserve wildlife and habitat to ensure healthy, sustainable populations and ecosystems are right in line with the CPW Strategic Plan.
Southwest Region Partner of the Year: Friends of Youth and Nature
Friends of Youth and Nature (FOYAN) promotes, supports and facilitates opportunities for youth and family to go outside. Their goal is to get kids outside in nature to explore, learn and have fun.
The FOYAN is a leader in outdoor experiences for youth in the Colorado counties of Montrose, Delta and Ouray. FOYAN staff is dedicated to bringing kids to the outdoors in collaboration with their community partners, and work through their partnerships to better understand what the needs of the youth are so they can customize and accommodate a positive outdoor experience. Each outing they create provides opportunities for youth to build knowledge, awareness and personal success in a natural setting through experiential learning. Through grant funding, FOYAN has removed obstacles, particularly for underserved youth. Their approach is to comprehensively plan and provide activities, including equipment, transportation and food as needed to foster a happy outdoor adventure.
CPW’s SCORP and Strategic Plan aligns with FOYAN’s mission to connect people to the outdoors. An example is a recent grant designed specifically for families associated with CASA and the Families Plus Organization out of Delta county to have access to outdoor equipment so underserved local communities have the ability to spend quality time outside and enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors.
About the Partners in the Outdoors Conference
CPW hosts its annual Partners in the Outdoors Conference to provide a platform for those involved in the outdoor industry to network, collaborate and stay abreast of current issues and initiatives. This year’s conference was held in Vail from April 18 – 20, 2022, with over 600 participants from more than 250 organizations attending.Goals of the conference include: providing professional development on current issues affecting the industry, providing funds for our Partners in the Outdoors Grant program, and recognizing the work our partners across the state do to advance outdoor recreation and conservation through our Partners in the Outdoors Awards program.
More information about the Partners in the Outdoors Conference is available on CPW’s website.
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Weather Buffs Invited to Report Moisture
Do you keep a rain gauge and check it regularly?
Does it seem that the Drought Monitor doesn’t ‘see’ the droughts you experience?
If so, you may be interested in participating in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network or CoCoRaHS.
Who Uses CoCoRaHS Data?
CoCoRaHS is not just a fun activity. The reports are used by many agencies and weather scientists. The National Weather Service (NWS) looks at reports to track storms and their variability. Reports also help inform the U.S. Drought Monitor creators. Weather modelers compare reports to radar information to improve predictions. In addition to their weather spotters the NWS warning system relies on CoCoRaHS ‘significant weather reports’. Many others use the data including emergency managers, insurance adjusters, USDA, and engineers.
Additionally, various drought and range condition models and monitors are looking at using CoCoRaHS data. Currently, most of these models use National Weather Service COOP stations and/or state sponsored automated weather stations. But these stations are widely scattered across the west. This leaves large gaps to fill in with statistics – and opportunities for error.
Those gaps would shrink enormously if every person that has rain gauge(s) reported their results. Knowing what rain or snow did, or didn’t, fall would vastly improve drought monitoring, forage & crop production predictions, and disaster assistance planning.
Can I Use My Rain Gauge?
CoCoRaHS does require that you use a 4” diameter high-capacity manual precipitation gauge. Most automated rain gauges report less rainfall than the reference NWS Standard manual rain gauge. These differences can be 10% or more – especially for storms with high intensity rainfall. Gauges with small openings are also notoriously inaccurate. The 4” gauges are within 1-5% of the NWS gauges.
The gauge is easy to purchase from weatheryourway.com (or other sources) for about $40. One nice feature is that the funnel reduces evaporation significantly. So, you don’t have to beat the sun to your gauge every morning. If your gauge is in a remote location, you can simply submit multi-day reports. You do not have to read it every day. If it will be several days between checks, you can add a small amount of vegetable oil to your gauge to reduce evaporation even more. Just remember to subtract the oil from your report!
Because the gauge holds 11 inches of water, most Eastern Colorado downpours are not a problem.
How Do I Join CoCoRaHS?
Curious? Check out their website www.cocorahs.org. On the front page you will see the maps the volunteers make possible. If you want to volunteer, the sign-up link is on the left-hand side. Once you have a gauge, simply log in and report your moisture. Zeros often are more important than rain, so don’t skip the days when your gauge is empty!
Each volunteer is valuable in helping to fill in a piece of the weather puzzle. These pieces are crucial for researchers, drought and flood monitors, and many others to make accurate assessments of conditions in your area.
For more information contact your NRCS office.