Local Wildlife Conservation Strategy News Items
CPW seeks volunteers to plant trees, collect trash in State Wildlife Areas east of Colorado Springs area1/22/2021 5:54:42 PM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bill Vogrin
Southeast Region Public Information Officer
719-466-3927 / bill.vogrin@state.co.us
CPW seeks volunteers to plant trees, help clean up State Wildlife Areas east of Colorado Springs area
Volunteers stand among rows of trees the planted in a State Wildlife Area.
Photo courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Jan. 21, 2021
CPW seeks volunteers to plant trees, help clean up State Wildlife Areas
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Volunteers are being sought by Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Southeast Region to help plant trees and clean State Wildlife Areas east of Colorado Springs.
CPW relies heavily on volunteers to perform a variety of important tasks at its 42 parks and 350 wildlife areas. Volunteers also make major contributions to efforts of biologists working with aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.
“In 2020, 2,703 volunteers contributed 273,350 hours, which was the equivalent of 131 full-time employees,” said Jeanette Lara, volunteer coordinator for CPW’s Southeast Region. “CPW calculated the value of the 2020 work at $8 million. We couldn’t do nearly as much as an agency without the valuable contribution of our volunteers.”
As the 2021 volunteer season begins, anyone interested is encouraged to contact Lara by email at: Jeanette.lara@state.co.us .
The first project involves planting trees, courtesy a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant to pay for volunteer projects to improve habitat or help wildlife. The Kinney Lake Tree Planting Project is scheduled Feb. 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Kinney Lake State Wildlife Area.
Volunteers will plant cottonwood trees and install protective tree guards. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, comfortable closed toed shoes, gloves, mask, and sunscreen. Volunteers should bring water and sunscreen. Additional items volunteers could bring include shovels, fence pliers and T-post drivers. Lunch will be provided for pre-registered volunteers working on the tree planting project.
Besides the Kinney Lake tree planting, here is a list of scheduled cleanup days:
Flagler SWA Cleanup Day, April 3
Kinney Lake SWA Cleanup Day, April 17
Karval SWA Cleanup Day, May 1
Hugo SWA Cleanup Day, May 15
Ramah SWA Cleanup Day, May 29
Each cleanup day is scheduled 8 a.m. to noon.
Crews will walk roadsides and comb the SWAs for trash. In addition to appropriate clothing, water and snacks, volunteers are encouraged to bring reflective vests, trash pickers and five-gallon buckets, if they have them. Appropriate COVID precautions will be followed.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Copyright © 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
ReleaseDate: 1/22/2021 3:51 PM
CPW issues reminder that shed-antler collecting is prohibited through April 301/21/2021 4:49:41 PM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Joe Lewandowski
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / joe.lewandowski@state.co.us
Collection of shed antlers on public lands west of I-25 is prohibited through April 30.
CPW issues reminder that shed-antler collecting is prohibited through April 30
DURANGO, Colo. – To protect wintering big-game animals and sage grouse species, collection of shed antlers on all public lands west of I-25 is prohibited from Jan. 1 through April 30.
“The purpose of the closures is to reduce disturbance of wintering wildlife during the time of year they are most vulnerable,” said Scott Wait, senior terrestrial biologist for the Southwest Region of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Big game and sage grouse species live in a basic survival mode during the winter when food is scarce. If forced to move and burn calories unnecessarily, wildlife can lose the energy they need to make it through the winter.
In addition to the statewide restrictions, additional special regulations are also in place for the Gunnison Basin. In Game Management Units 54, 55, 66, 67 and 551, it is illegal to search for or possess antlers and horns on public lands between legal sunset and 10 a.m. from May 1 through May 15.
Shed antler collecting has become very popular. The interest in personal and commercial collection has led to a substantial increase in the number of people searching for antlers across big-game winter range in western Colorado. The seasonal prohibition applies to both commercial and personal collectors.
Violating these regulations can be costly, said Brandon Diamond, area wildlife manager in the Gunnison area. The act of antler hunting during the closure qualifies as one violation and possession of each individual antler is a separate violation. The fine for each offense is $100 plus five license-suspension points. If an individual accumulates 20 points, his or her hunting privileges could be suspended.
“These regulations will be most effective and have the greatest positive impact to our wintering wildlife when we work together within our communities to monitor and enforce them. Don’t tolerate the behavior of those that would cheat,” Diamond advised. “Let’s make sure we are all doing what’s best for wildlife and help give them a break during their toughest time of year.”
Anyone witnessing violations of the shed-antler hunting regulations should call the nearest CPW office or Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Copyright © 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
ReleaseDate: 1/21/2021 2:48 PM
Latest Colorado Outdoors podcast episode discusses backcountry winter safety1/21/2021 9:04:41 AM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jason Clay
Northeast Region Public Information Officer
303-291-7234 / jason.clay@state.co.us
@CPW_NE
Latest Colorado Outdoors podcast episode discusses backcountry winter safety
Photos by Bridget Kochel/CPW
DENVER - Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s latest podcast episode discusses how to get in front of backcountry danger in the winter.
Click here to listen to this episode. All episodes of Colorado Outdoors can also be found on your favorite podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , iHeartRadio , Spotify , Pandora and more .
Outdoor agencies across Colorado have seen an increase in park visitation and off-grid winter recreation. Recreating in the backcountry requires certain precautions and equipment to ensure a safe outdoor experience.
Podcast host Mark Johnson talks with two CPW experts on winter backcountry recreation. Ben Plankis is the trails coordinator for the northeast region of the agency and Michael Haskins is a park ranger at Chatfield State Park who assist backcountry search and rescue teams with rescue missions.
For more information on backcountry winter safety courses, visit colorado.com/WinterBackcountrySafety and take the Colorado Backcountry Winter Safety Pledge .
TOPIC LIST:
2:40 - what do people need to consider when they head up into the high country
3:56 - know before you go - Check Avalanche and Weather Forecast at colorado.gov/avalanche
4:37 - equipment to keep you safe should you be caught in an avalanche
5:40 - avalanche awareness classes
6:38 - what to know if new to Colorado
7:28 - what should you look for when in potential avalanche terrain
8:05 - advice for experienced backcountry visitors
9:40 - snow conditions this year and more people venturing out in the backcountry
10:10 - guidelines for heading up into the backcountry
11:38 - easy access into the backcountry can lead people into a false sense of security
12:30 - what to do/know/have if you need help
15:20 - COTREX trails app and cell phone GPS capabilities
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Copyright © 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
ReleaseDate: 1/21/2021 7:03 AM
2020 Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Awards will support rehabilitation efforts across Colorado1/19/2021 3:14:41 PM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Travis Duncan
Statewide Public Information Officer
720-595-8294 / travis.duncan @state.co.us
2020 Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Awards will support rehabilitation efforts across Colorado
These great horned owl chicks went to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program for rehab after their nest tree was cut down.
DENVER – Ten recipients of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s third annual Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants have been announced. The grants are offered by CPW to support wildlife rehabilitation efforts across the state.
“These ten grants reach across the state,” said CPW Director Dan Prenzlow. “They include investments to expand rehabilitation facilities for the long-term and funding to help keep existing facilities open to meet public demand.”
“We had more than $48,000 in funding requests but only $16,200 in funding available,” said Jim Guthrie, Program Coordinator for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants Program. “There’s a big need out there. A lot of Colorado rehabbers run on shoestring budgets. They put in tremendous personal effort for the love of helping animals recover from accidents or injury.”
“The rehabilitation of Colorado's wildlife species often happens quietly, by a relatively few number of qualified and licensed professionals around the state,” said John Gale, Chair of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants Board. “They provide critical services across a diversity of species - large and small - often at great personal expense. Colorado’s grant program provides important support to wildlife rehabilitators, increasing resources and allowing them to help more animals.”
The work supported through this year’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants includes:
Flight cages and equipment to overwinter bats at the Colorado BatCREW facility in Conifer
Continued construction of a new rehabilitation facility at the SonFlower Ranch in Brighton
Food and medical supplies at the Rocky Mountain WildHeart center in Colorado Springs
Veterinary and medical expenses at the Rocky Mountain Raptor center in Fort Collins
The grant program was created through House Bill 17-1250 . Funding for the grant program comes primarily from the nongame tax check-off program, along with fines from nongame wildlife-based offenses and interest income. For the first $250,000 raised annually, 10 percent is allocated to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Program, which aims to provide funding specifically for wildlife rehabilitation centers. For many rehabbers, this kind of funding fills a critical gap.
“On behalf of my fellow committee members and Colorado Parks and Wildlife professionals,” said Gale, “I want to extend our appreciation to Colorado taxpayers for their generous donations and continued investment in this highly successful grant program.”
Applications for Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Awards are due each year in early November. For more information on the grant program and application materials, please visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants page.
2020 Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Awards
Rocky Mountain WildHeart – Colorado Springs
Food, supplies, medical supplies
Grant Award: $2,000
Lynette Carson – Beulah
Raccoon enclosure
Grant Award: $3,000
Colorado BatCREW - Conifer
Flight cages and equipment to overwinter bats
Grant Award: $2,000
Emily Davenport - Sedalia
Lead testing equipment
Grant Award: $2,000
North Park Wildlife Rehabilitation
Food, medical supplies, veterinary services, travel, caging materials
Grant Award: $1,200
Wild Bird Rescue – Englewood
Facility operations – rent, food, medical supplies
Grant Award: $2,000
Shellee Lawson – Bailey
Food and supplies
Grant Award: $1,000
Rocky Mountain Raptor Program – Fort Collins
Veterinary and medical supply expenses
Grant Award: $1,000
SonFlower Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation - Brighton
Concrete floors for caging and new building
Grant Award: $1,000
Bill Main – Colorado Springs
Food, medical supplies, veterinary services
Grant Award: $1,000
Total grant awards: $16,200
Caption for photos below: This red-tailed hawk was struck by a vehicle and had severe spinal and head trauma when it was brought to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program for rehab. With time and care it was released back to the wild again.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Copyright © 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
ReleaseDate: 1/19/2021 1:12 PM
Mule deer and elk captures underway along the Front Range1/19/2021 11:14:40 AM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jason Clay
Northeast Region Public Information Officer
303-291-7234 / jason.clay@state.co.us
@CPW_NE
Mule deer and elk captures underway along the Front Range
A herd of elk in South Park by Reinecker Ridge on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 (photo by Jason Clay/CPW)
DENVER - Several studies of mule deer and elk on the Front Range have begun with the deployment of satellite GPS collars on adult does (female deer) and cow (female) elk.
The animals will be captured by a professional capture crew using helicopter net guns as well as by Colorado Parks and Wildlife personnel on the ground using immobilization techniques.
The goals of the study are to identify mule deer and elk seasonal ranges, migration corridors, habitat use and future habitat improvement projects.
Deer and elk will be captured in several project areas on winter range east of the Continental Divide, ranging from the Wyoming border down into South Park. Project areas include private land, state and federal lands as well as Jefferson and Boulder County Open Space properties. You may see low flying aircraft in these areas over the next few weeks as crews work on capturing animals in project areas.
The GPS collars will record the positions of each animal for the next three to five years. Daily position updates will be available to biologists via email notifications throughout the study.
If an animal dies during the study, a mortality signal will be sent to the local wildlife biologist who will search for the animal’s carcass, determine the cause of death and collect biological samples.
The studies are the result of many years of planning and a lot of collaboration between CPW, Jefferson and Boulder Counties, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These projects have received generous financial support from collaborative partners listed above, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3362.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Copyright © 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
ReleaseDate: 1/19/2021 9:11 AM
Blue Mesa Reservoir lake trout tournament kicks off Feb. 11/18/2021 2:34:41 PM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Joe Lewandowski
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / joe.lewandowski@state.co.us
These happy anglers participated in last year's lake trout fishing tournament at Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison. This year's tournament starts Feb. 1.
Blue Mesa Reservoir lake trout tournament kicks off Feb. 1
GUNNISON, Colo. – The 2 nd Annual Blue Mesa Reservoir Lake Trout Tournament at Blue Mesa Reservoir with $10,000 in prize money kicks off on Feb. 1. The reservoir is located near Gunnison in western Colorado.
The tournament, sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, is free and no registration is required. The tournament continues through July 31 and everyone who chooses to participate during that time has a chance to win cash prizes. The goal of the tournament is to maintain adequate kokanee fry survival by limiting predation from lake trout; and, in turn, to maintain quality kokanee fishing opportunities. Abundant kokanee are also the key to maintaining excellent lake trout growth and condition to support trophy lake trout opportunities at the reservoir.
“Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking anglers to be our partners in helping to manage the renowned Blue Mesa Reservoir fishery,” said Dan Brauch, aquatic biologist for CPW in Gunnison. “We know we can have an excellent kokanee fishery and a trophy lake trout fishery, but we need to continue our work for both species and we need the help of Colorado’s anglers.”
Anglers are asked to target and keep lake trout that are up to 24 inches in length. Last year the 339 anglers who participated caught 4,055 of the target-sized lake trout.
Here’s how the tournament works: Anglers who catch and keep lake trout 24 inches or smaller will remove the heads and place them in a plastic bag provided at one of three boat ramps at the reservoir: Iola, Elk Creek and Lake Fork. Heads can also be turned in at CPW’s offices in Gunnison (300 W. New York Ave.) or Montrose (2300 S. Townsend Ave., U.S. Highway 550).
Cash prizes will be awarded in three categories at the conclusion of the tournament:
1) Anglers catching the most fish: 1 st place, $1,000; 2 nd place, $500; 3 rd place, $250.
2) Anglers will be entered in a raffle for every lake trout head turned in. A total of 20 winners will be selected and each will receive $200.
3) CPW has tagged about 20 fish in the reservoir but anglers won’t know if they’ve caught one. CPW will scan the heads later to check for tags; those who caught tagged fish will receive $250 for each.
Winning anglers will be contacted in early August.
Unchecked lake trout population growth caused significant declines in kokanee abundance in previous decades, Brauch said. Recently, the number of predatory lake trout has been reduced and kokanee abundance has improved. CPW research shows that smaller lake trout, those 24 inches and smaller, consume the most kokanee. Consequently, the tournament is focused on removing those fish.
“We appreciate angler participation in maintaining balance in the Blue Mesa fishery,” Brauch said. “Working together, we will continue to provide quality opportunities for both kokanee and trophy lake trout.”
Maintaining abundant kokanee supports quality-fishing opportunities for kokanee and provides a source of kokanee eggs for restocking needs at up to 25 waters in Colorado. Abundant kokanee are also essential for maintaining continued growth of trophy lake trout at Blue Mesa Reservoir.
For more information about fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir, including how to catch lake trout, research studies and management planning go to: https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/BlueMesaReservoirFisheryManagement.aspx .
You may also call the Gunnison wildlife office at: 970-641-7060.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Copyright © 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
ReleaseDate: 1/18/2021 12:33 PM
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approves motion to create adaptive management plan to reintroduce wolves1/15/2021 6:49:40 PM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Travis Duncan
Statewide Public Information Officer
720-595-8294 / travis.duncan @state.co.us
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approves motion to create adaptive management plan to reintroduce wolves
DENVER - At its virtual meeting on January 14, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission provided CPW staff with direction to begin creating a robust, adaptive management plan to reintroduce wolves in Colorado with a 10-1 majority vote.
“We have direction from the voters of Colorado to develop a reintroduction and management plan for gray wolves as transparently and as expeditiously as possible,” said CPW Director Dan Prenzlow. “This authorizes us to move forward in a phased approach that will allow us to be both efficient and flexible as we enact the plan. We will introduce wolves in Colorado no later than Dec. 31, 2023.”
CPW Assistant Director for Aquatics, Terrestrial and Natural Resources Reid DeWalt presented a series of action items for the plan in his presentation to the Commission.
“Our first steps will be to begin a thorough stakeholder engagement process across Colorado to ensure robust participation and input while working to accomplish the needed steps for a successful reintroduction process,” DeWalt said. “The main objectives of our proposed outreach strategy are: gathering and sharing information to build public awareness and promote engagement across the state, designing and implementing an inclusive and transparent process to meet the requirements outlined in Proposition 114, collaborating with technical experts and diverse stakeholders to share knowledge and draft management and conservation strategies, and fostering commitment and collaboration toward plan implementation.”
In addition to public meetings across the state to collect input from the public on their questions and concerns regarding wolf reintroduction, both a Technical Working Group and a Stakeholder Working Group will be created to serve as advisory bodies to the Commission.
The Technical Working Group would initially be responsible for:
Proposing of conservation objectives and management strategies that CPW will incorporate into its draft plan
Developing the details of the damage prevention and compensation program.
The Stakeholder Advisory Group will:
Support development of draft strategies by representing a range of viewpoints and geographic areas within the state
Make substantive contributions for consideration to the plan(s) developed by the Technical Working Group
Those interested in applying to participate on the Stakeholder Advisory Group or attending public meetings can stay informed through CPW’s Wolf Management Page , social media channels , and eNews newsletters . All agendas, data, and draft materials for future meetings will be posted to CPW’s website .
The Commission will serve as the decision-making body for the development of the plan. This role will include:
Considering options for facilitating public involvement and approving the public involvement process to develop the plan
Receiving input from CPW staff, the public, stakeholders, and technical experts and providing feedback on draft management concepts and strategies
Approving the final plan
DeWalt noted that it is within the purview of the Commission to either speed up or slow down the planning process.
Before the majority vote to move forward with the proposed process to develop a wolf restoration and management plan, many Commissioners noted that they would like their vote to reflect the desire to enact the will of the voters on a flexible timeline if possible and where appropriate, while still performing the due diligence required of a robust stakeholder engagement process.
Next Steps:
Conduct Education & Listening Tour
From February through May 2021, CPW will hold virtual meetings to share information with the public and stakeholders and to provide opportunities for public input on wolf conservation/management in Colorado.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Copyright © 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
ReleaseDate: 1/15/2021 4:46 PM
CPW Northeast Region to host virtual meeting to offer hunters and anglers updates on important wildlife issues1/15/2021 4:04:40 PM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jason Clay
Northeast Region Public Information Officer
303-291-7234 / jason.clay@state.co.us
@CPW_NE
CPW Northeast Region to host virtual meeting to offer hunters and anglers updates on important wildlife issues
DENVER – Hunters and anglers are invited to Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Northeast Region Sportspersons Caucus for updates on a variety of important issues.
The caucus is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 26 between 6-8 p.m. It will be hosted as a ZOOM webinar with registration required for those who wish to participate and ask questions. Click here to register for the ZOOM webinar.
The meeting will also be streamed live on CPW’s YouTube page .
The Sportspersons Caucus will feature statewide roundtable representatives plus Northeast Regional Manager Mark Leslie and his staff, who will discuss topics relevant to the region’s hunters and anglers including:
Wolf reintroduction.
Preference points.
Current and future waterfowl hunting opportunities in the northeast region of Colorado.
Status of deer and elk populations across the state and how CPW monitors these populations.
Youth hunting opportunities.
State Wildlife Area regulation update.
Work to increase public access for sportspersons.
An update on angling and aquatic topics from the region.
It’s a great chance for hunters, anglers, trappers and outdoor enthusiasts to engage with Kassi Smith and Brian Soliday, the Northeast Region’s delegates to CPW’s statewide Sportspersons’ Roundtable, as well as Emily Orbanek, a statewide appointed representative. Orbanek, Smith and Soliday represent hunters and anglers in the Northeast Region on the statewide Sportspersons Roundtable.
“The Northeast Region Caucus is an excellent opportunity for the residents of Colorado to interact with CPW staff and voice their thoughts and concerns to their public representatives,” Leslie said. “We want to hear your ideas and answer your questions. We value your input and hope you will come and help inform us.”
Who : CPW Northeast Region Sportspersons Caucus
What : Online meeting
When : Tuesday, Jan. 26 | 6-8 p.m.
Where : ZOOM webinar and also a live broadcast on CPW’s YouTube page .
Register for the ZOOM webinar to participate in the meeting by clicking here.
Info : Call 303-291-7227 for additional information or visit http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Roundtable.aspx
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Copyright © 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
ReleaseDate: 1/15/2021 2:02 PM
Kemp Breeze SWA Aquatic Improvement Project1/11/2021 5:44:41 PM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Randy Hampton
Northwest Region Public Information Officer
970-640-1647 / randy.hampton@state.co.us
KEMP BREEZE SWA AQUATIC HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Kemp Breeze SWA
HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS, Colo. - Anglers who fish the Colorado River near Parshall are getting a chance to weigh in on the planning process for a major river restoration project in the Kemp-Breeze State Wildlife Area. A virtual public meeting is planned for Tuesday, Jan 19 at 6:30 p.m.
The Kemp-Breeze aquatic habitat improvement project is currently in the design phase and still has elements that are open for public input. The goal is to improve river conditions for trout by improving habitat for invertebrates, especially giant stonefly, and for mottled sculpin, as well as enhancing habitat for all life stages of trout. The Kemp-Breeze project is the result of water project agreements between CPW, the Municipal Subdistrict, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Denver Water, and other entities involved in the Windy Gap and Moffat Firming Projects.
The Kemp-Breeze State Wildlife is a popular fishing destination for locals, visitors, and a loyal group of local fishing guides with happy clients in tow.
Anglers and community members interested in hearing more about the proposed changes can attend the Zoom-based public webinar at: https://cpw-state-co.zoom.us/j/86841531694
“We understand the importance of this project to the anglers and the community,” said Jeromy Huntington, Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “While we have the knowledge to move forward biologically, we want to include the user groups to make sure the final project meets the public’s needs.”
Following the public meeting, the habitat restoration design will be finalized. Construction work is tentatively scheduled to begin late summer 2022, depending on conditions and financing details.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Copyright © 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
ReleaseDate: 1/11/2021 3:39 PM
CPW aquatic biologists studying Bear Creek after survey shows troubling decline in population of threatened greenback cutthroat, Colorado's state fish12/22/2020 11:34:43 AM
Body:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bill Vogrin
Southeast Region Public Information Officer
719-466-3927 / bill.vogrin@state.co.us
CPW aquatic biologists studying Bear Creek after survey reveals troubling decline in population of threatened greenback cutthroat trout, Colorado's state fish
A greenback cutthroat trout caught in Bear Creek near Colorado Springs
Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife / Bill Vogrin
Dec. 22, 2020
CPW aquatic biologists studying troubling decline in greenback cutthroat population
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Aquatic biologists and researchers at Colorado Parks and Wildlife have launched an intensive review of data on Bear Creek after a routine survey revealed a troubling decline in greenback cutthroat trout populations.
“We have looked into several factors that may have contributed to this decline including water quality, temperature, flow, sediment accumulation, disease and the possibility of some unnatural human-caused event,” said Josh Nehring, senior aquatic biologist for CPW’s Southeast Region. “At this point, we cannot say there is one single, definitive cause.”
In 2012, CPW confirmed that tiny Bear Creek, on the city’s southwest edge, was home to wild greenback cutthroat trout, which are the Colorado state fish and are native to the South Platte River in the northeast.
For decades the greenback was believed to be extinct. So protecting the 3½-mile stretch of water holding the only known population of naturally reproducing greenbacks became a top priority of CPW aquatic biologists. Today, the greenbacks are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species.
In the years since the discovery, CPW has worked to protect and improve the creek habitat and the surrounding watershed and to develop a second brood stock. Brood stock is a small population of fish kept in optimal conditions in a hatchery to maximize breeding and provide a source of fish for the establishment of new populations in suitable habitats. Each spring, CPW spawns the greenbacks on the banks of Bear Creek. The CPW Mount Shavano Hatchery in Salida hatches the fertilized eggs in its Isolation Unit. Extra milt collected from make greenbacks in Bear Creek goes to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Leadville National Fish Hatchery to fertilize eggs from the greenbacks in its brood stock. The eggs are then taken to Salida to be hatched and eventually stocked onto the landscape. At various sizes, the fish are then stocked into creeks and lakes in the South Platte River drainage. CPW hopes these releases will lead to greenbacks being re-established and reproducing in the wild. But that milestone has not yet been documented, making the Bear Creek population critical to the species’ survival.
“Since 2008, we have surveyed Bear Creek every three years to assess the size and health of the greenback population,” Nehring said. “We only surveyed every three years to minimize stress on the fish.
“This September, we surveyed four reaches of the creek and the results were troubling. They suggested up to an 80 percent decline in the adult population. However, a fairly robust class of immature fish suggests that adults were still common and prolific until recently.”
CPW launched an immediate investigation to determine the cause of the decline.
Water temperatures appear to be normal over the past three years and CPW’s annual disease inspection on brook trout living in Bear Creek downstream of the greenback population showed they continue to be disease-free.
The U.S. Forest Service, which shares jurisdiction over Bear Creek with El Paso County and Colorado Springs, is monitoring sediment accumulation in the creek. And a major restoration project was just completed to improve the habitat, increase pool depth and reduce sediment accumulation in the creek.
The September survey preceded the creek habitat restoration work. CPW biologists do not believe that work, or a recent wildfire that burned within a half mile of the creek, had any impact on the greenback population.
Bear Creek is somewhat unusual as it does not typically experience a snowmelt-driven runoff in the spring. Rather, peak flows generally occur during the late summer monsoon season and are precipitated by strong rain events.
“Over the past three years, we have not seen these higher flows that help to scour out the pool habitats,” Nehring said. “Although there has been an increase of sediment in the pool habitats, it doesn’t appear that would have been the sole reason for the decline in the population.”
CPW’s investigation into the population decline and search for a solution is ongoing.
“We will continue to evaluate and investigate these factors and others, such as possible deliberate human caused events,” Nehring said. “The take or killing of a threatened species is a serious offense and carries significant fines under the Endangered Species Act.
“At the same time, we are intensifying our efforts to broaden our brood stock, accelerate our release of greenbacks into their native waters and look for other ways to preserve this important fish.”
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NEWS EDITORS/PRODUCERS NOTE:
Unfortunately, Josh Nehring, senior aquatic biologist for CPW’s Southeast Region, is not available today for interviews. So we have recorded a video interview with Josh discussing the findings on Bear Creek and the status of the greenback cutthroat trout. This B-roll video is available upon request.
To get the YouTube link, please email Bill Vogrin, bill.vogrin@state.co.us.
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PHOTOS
All photos Courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Captions:
Greenback cutthroat trout are seen during spawning events on Bear Creek.
Josh Nehring, senior aquatic biologist for CPW's Southeast Region, displays a greenback cutthroat trout over a bucket on the banks of Bear Creek during the June 2018 spawning event.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatic biologists are seen electroshocking Bear Creek during the June 2017 spawn.
Holding pens sit in Bear Creek and an outdoor lab awaits on the side of the creek during the June 2018 spawn. Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatic biologists used electroshock equipment to catch greenback cutthroat trout. They were held into the nets until biologists were ready to spawn them.
Signs warn campers, anglers, hikers and bikers of the protected 3 1/2-mile stretch of Bear Creek that is home to the threatened greenback cutthroat trout.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
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ReleaseDate: 12/22/2020 9:29 AM
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