The Colorado Wildlife Council, formed by the state legislature in 1998, was conceived and developed by a diverse coalition of conservationists, outdoor recreationalists, hunters, fishers, farmers, ranchers, and community leaders coming together to ensure a bright future for Colorado’s wildlife.
By statute, the Council’s mission is to oversee the design of a public education program to inform the general public about the benefits of wildlife, wildlife management, and wildlife-related recreational opportunities in Colorado, specifically hunting and fishing.
Representing all of Colorado
The Colorado Wildlife Council consists of nine individuals representing various interests throughout Colorado.
2 Members
represent the hunting and fishing public east of the Continental Divide
2 Members
represent the hunting and fishing public west of the Continental Divide
1 Member
represents the agriculture and livestock industry
2 Members
one represents municipalities and one represents counties
1 Member
is a media/marketing expert
1 Member
represents Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Dan Gates
Chair – East Slope Hunter Representative
A Colorado resident since 1976, Dan is an avid lifetime sportsman. He lives in Canon City, Colorado, where he owns and operates a wildlife control business to help solve human-animal conflicts in a variety of settings. Dan is deeply engaged in multiple sportsmen’s and conservation organizations, and sits on the Habitat Stamp Committee and CPW’s Executive Summit Council.
Dan’s passion for the outdoors is a true representation of his beliefs in conservation. He and his wife Karen and son Ethan conduct their lives in a manner that benefits not only themselves but all of the sportsmen in Colorado.
Eeland Stribling
East Slope Angler Representative
Eeland Stribling is a CSU graduate with a degree in fish, wildlife and conservation biology. He’s also an outdoor educator for many nonprofits around Colorado, and is the Conservation and Education Director of Brown Folks Fishing. His grandfather, Theodore Washington, was a wildlife biologist for the Division of Wildlife and named Eeland after the largest African antelope Eland. When he’s not fly-fishing around the world, Eeland’s hanging with his dog. In addition to his work outside, he’s also a huge Formula 1 fan.
Born and raised in Colorado, he understands the value of biodiversity, diversity and conservation. All are needed to ensure that we keep Colorado beautiful and to make sure everyone can enjoy it. Eeland sees his passion for fishing as a way to inspire people to protect the places we all so desperately love.
Tony Bohrer
Counties Representative
Tony has a strong connection to Colorado and its wildlife, serving as a professional hunting outfitter and spending time with his family exploring the outdoors. He serves as a pastor at his local church, is a member of the Craig City Council, serves as a coach and public speaker, and is passionate about helping people reach their goals and dreams.
Born and raised in northwest Colorado, Tony is the fourth generation of his family to live in the state. In fact, his family still owns the original homestead developed by his great grandparents. He is married to Shannon and is father to two precious girls, Keyara and Braelee.
Robin Brown
West Slope Hunter Representative
Robin landed in Grand Junction in 2010 after spending eight years serving in the U.S. Army as an attack helicopter pilot. She and her husband, Jason, and their two children, Hank and Merli, enjoy public lands and wildlife throughout Colorado for hunting, fishing, hiking, running, mountain biking, and skiing.
When not spending time outdoors, Robin is the executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, which is the economic development agency for Mesa County. She sees firsthand that Colorado’s economy depends on its public lands and wildlife, and serves on the council to advocate for those resources.
Brittni Ehrhart-Gemmill
CPW Representative
Brittni grew up in rural northwestern Pennsylvania, spending the majority of her free time outdoors – hiking the rolling Allegheny Mountains or fishing on the river. As an indigenous person, she firmly believes that hunting and fishing are an integral part of life.
She moved to Denver in 2013 and was inspired to move west to enjoy more outdoor adventures. Brittni has over 10 years’ experience working in government/nonprofit entities, and currently works for Colorado Parks and Wildlife as the digital marketing and social media coordinator. She resides in Denver with her husband, Wes, and their cat, Rue.
Lani Kitching
Colorado Municipalities Representative
After catching her very first trout in the summer of 1979, Lani’s love for the outdoors has grown each day. Today, she’s honored to keep her outfit, Proudline afloat, helping fly-fishing newcomers feel as excited and confident to venture into the water as she did in her early experience.
What Lani enjoys most is talking about the wonderful attributes of fly-fishing and the closeness it brings us to nature with someone’s non-fishing partner or spouse, hooking them in so they too can experience the gifts of the river. Along with Lani’s ongoing experience in Municipal Government as an elected official in Carbondale, her passion for the wilderness fuels her oversight and alignment with our public agency partners to help support the delicate balance between the conservation and economic health mission of our treasured region.
Don Anderson
Agricultural Representative
Residing just outside of Johnstown, Colorado, Don has always had a keen connection to Colorado’s outdoors. He’s always been committed to Colorado agriculture and producers around the state. In fact, he’s spent most of his career working with large commercial cattle feeding organizations, acting as an established member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
While he loves his work, Don’s favorite connection to the great outdoors is when he’s camping, fishing or chasing bugling elk in the backcountry. His goal is simple – to be a strong advocate for wildlife habitat, public access to state and federal lands, and our hunting and fishing heritage.
Shyanne Orvis
West Slope Angler Representative
Shyanne was born and raised in Michigan, but shortly after high school, she moved to Colorado to pursue life in the mountains. She acts as a fly-fishing guide in the Roaring Fork Valley and as an international travel host. Shyanne spends most of her year sharing her passion for fishing with guests around the world. When she’s not spending her time on the water, she volunteers with Fish for Change, an organization that offers international fly-fishing programs rooted in connection, education and conservation. Shyanne is beyond grateful for the opportunity to represent the west slope angling community and hopes to protect and advocate for the resources we love.
Tim Twinem
Media and Marketing Representative
When Tim turned 19, he packed his bags and moved away from the state where he grew up, Colorado. It wasn’t until spending a handful of years away that he realized what a gift it is to grow up in such a beautiful and wild state. He has now been back in Colorado for 12 years with his wife Rebekah, and they are proud to be raising their three kids in the state they love.
Tim is the head of production at the marketing and advertising agency Human, in Boulder. His work there is focused on leading a team that tells impactful stories to move brands and brand sentiment with their customers. Outside of work, he’s an avid hunter and spends a lot of time camping, fishing and hiking with his family. When Tim’s not out enjoying the nature of Colorado, you can typically find him studying some maps and planning his next hunt.
Meetings
2022 Council Meeting Dates
January – Call 1/20
February – Meeting 2/17
March – Call 3/17
April – Planning Retreat Mon 4/4 – Tues 4/5
May – Call 5/19
June – Meeting 6/16 10am
July – Call 7/14
August – Meeting 8/18
September – Call 9/15
October – Meeting 10/20
November – Call 11/10
December – Meeting 12/15
To access all meeting documents, click here:
http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/WildlifeCouncil.aspx
Public Meeting Notices
In Person Meeting December 15
*For archives, older resources and prior records, please contact The Wildlife Council at wildlife.council@state.co.us
Funding
The Council’s budget is appropriated through the Wildlife Management Public Education Fund.
This fund is generated through a surcharge of only $1.50 on every Colorado hunting and fishing license.
Partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado’s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas, and a host of recreational programs.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is committed to keeping Colorado special; they believe in protecting and conserving Colorado’s state parks, wildlife and outdoor lifestyle.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages and protects lands, waters and wildlife for the people of Colorado. It’s a leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. For more than a century, staff have worked to ensure the health and future of Colorado’s state parks and wildlife through cutting-edge science, innovative conservation practices and meaningful experiences.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is primarily funded by hunters, anglers and state parks visitors through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, habitat stamps, and state parks passes − through customer support, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is able to protect the Colorado we know and love.
The Colorado Wildlife Council works in close partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to support their long-term conservation goals.
Current Media Campaign Research
Wildlife Council Research 2019
Historical Council Documents
Wildlife Management Public Education Plan – Original Plan 1998
Video: Nimrod Society The History of the Wildlife Council
*For archives, older resources and prior records, please contact The Wildlife Council at wildlife.council@state.co.us