Supporting Science in the Wild
In Colorado, everybody benefits from hunting and fishing.
Colorado’s wildlife and landscapes are held in balance by conservation work, which is funded primarily with hunting and fishing license fees.
That includes research to study how wildlife populations are changing, the management of overpopulated and endangered species, restoration of vital wildlife habitat, and specific operations like fish hatcheries. These and other conservation programs help keep Colorado wild and beautiful.
How Hunting and Fishing Impact Colorado
250000
Acres have been protected by the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program since 2006
25000
Jobs are supported by hunting and fishing across Colorado
9000000
Fish are released into Colorado lakes and streams each year
280000
Elk live in Colorado – the world’s largest population
960
Wildlife species make Colorado their home
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Benefits for All
It might surprise you, but hunting and fishing benefit Colorado year-round. However, not everyone recognizes the critical role sportspeople play in conservation, wildlife management and economic development in our state.
There are over 960 species that live in Colorado, from the Shiras moose that can weigh over 1,000 lbs. to Boreal toads that weigh less than a tenth of a gram when they’re born.
Whether they’re animals you see regularly when you hike or undercover super stars that play key roles in the ecosystem, every single species benefits from the crucial funds provided by hunting and fishing licenses.
Colorado is home to several stunning natural habitats.
What is a habitat? A habitat is a combination of food, water, shelter and space arranged to meet the needs of wildlife. It is vital that we protect Colorado’s wildlife habitats, but it takes hard work − especially with more and more people enjoying the state’s wild spaces. Efforts to maintain and improve habitat conditions include dynamic management strategies and require coordination between a variety of conservation partners, management agencies and private landowners.
State wildlife experts, scientists and biologists analyze the wildlife impact on natural ecosystems to better understand how growing and contrasting populations impact habitats.
These findings help wildlife managers balance the number of hunting licenses distributed in order to sustain healthy wildlife populations with overpopulation, which could lead to starvation and disease.
In northwestern Colorado, an average of 65 animals were killed every year trying to cross State Highway 9 during seasonal migrations.
In northwestern Colorado, an average of 65 animals were killed every year trying to cross State Highway 9 during seasonal migrations. This led not only to the death of the animals but to thousands of dollars in damage to the vehicles that hit them. To make this stretch of State Highway 9 safer for animals and people alike, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Department of Transportation and conservation partners, constructed multiple wildlife overpasses and underpasses along the migration corridor. In the first four years they were in place, almost 100,000 animals used the crossings, which led to a 90% reduction in wildlife/vehicle collisions. This is just one example of the work happening to make roads safer across the state. And it’s funded in part by hunting and fishing license fees.
Hunters and anglers are an essential part of Colorado’s economy.
Hunters and anglers are an essential part of Colorado’s economy. Together, hunting and fishing bring over $3.25 billion to Colorado every year, impacting all 64 counties. Hunting and fishing also support more than 25,000 full-time jobs across the state, from small businesses to manufacturers to the tourism industry. License fees from hunting and fishing also support jobs in conservation, and allow Colorado’s conservation programs to operate without reliance on tax funding. Without hunting and fishing, these programs might have to be funded by Colorado taxpayers. Now that’s a wild thought.
Wildlife Success Stories
Cutthroat trout kept off endangered species list
Decades of work by Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff and partner organizations was recognized this week when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its decision to not list the Rio Grande cutthroat trout under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Decades of reintroduction efforts have helped this elusive wild cat
Scientists with the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the University of Wyoming recently published groundbreaking research on the habitat needs of the threatened Canada lynx in the southern Rocky Mountains–particularly western Colorado.
Learn about the Western Slope Mountain Lion Density Study
Through better understanding of the population density, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is able to test its previous modeled estimates and can make even more informed management decisions based on the science.
OUR PARTNERS
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is charged with balancing the conservation of our wildlife and habitat with the recreational needs of our state. The agency manages all of Colorado’s wildlife, 42 state parks, more than 300 state wildlife areas, and a host of recreational programs.
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