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 Lincoln Hills Cares, and currently works with Brown Folks Fishing, and many other conservation groups. His grandfather, Theodore Washington, was a wildlife biologist for the Division of Wildlife. 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.
Kelly Weyand
West Slope Hunter Representative
As a lifelong resident of Colorado, it’s been true love between Kelly and the outdoors since birth. That passion began early while on the farm where he grew up near Cortez. Since childhood, he has treasured his encounters with our state’s diverse wildlife. In fact, many of his earliest memories are of small-game hunting and fishing. For Kelly, Colorado’s beautiful wilds just feel like home. That’s why it was always so hard to keep him indoors when he was younger. And, in the 35 years that followed, not much has changed. During those years, Kelly has focused on hunting big game. That pursuit has even taken him to other countries.
He particularly enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Stacey and their two boys, Coulter and Bridger. Together, his family hunts to collect meat they carefully freeze and use all year long. They’re determined to educate their boys and others on the importance of conservation and ethics in hunting. Today, he belongs to several conservation groups. Additionally, he serves as the county’s 4H Shooting Sports superintendent and he’s also an archery coach for 4H and S3DA. On top of all that, Kelly and Stacey even find time to own and operate their own insurance agency. Now you know who to call if you need to practice your archery or get better insurance.
Dan Williams
Colorado Counties Representative
Commissioner Dan Williams is a retired US Army Colonel, Apache Pilot and decorated 30-year Combat Veteran with combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Albania. His parents lived for many years in Teller County near Florissant. He returned to Teller County after serving his Country and lives with his wife Suzan, a retired US Army Nurse on their ranch near Cripple Creek.
Dan is a recognized Community and Veteran leader in Teller County. Dan has served Teller County as a consultant, the Teller County Planning Director and is currently serving as the District 1 County Commissioner. Prior to assuming office Dan assisted the previous Board of County Commissioners in writing both the Teller County Strategic Plan and the 2020 Teller County Growth Management Plan. He is a West Point graduate with two Master’s Degrees to include one from Kings College in London, England. He is a 2017 graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies. Dan serves on numerous boards and organizations including, the 5th US Congressional District Service Academy Nomination Board; the 7th US Congressional District Service Academy Nomination Board; Coalition of the Upper South Platte (CUSP); the Pikes Peak Round Table; Daybreak Board of Directors; Community of Caring - Aspen Mine Center; Arkansas Basin Round Table Board Member; Member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Environment, Energy and Land Use Board and Public Lands Board; the Southern Teller County Focus Group; the Southern Shooting Partnership Board; the Teller County Wildland Fire Counsel; and is on the executive committee and board member for the Court Appointed Special Advocate CASA organization. Dan is a member of VFW Post 6051 and commands American Legion Post 1980. Most recently, Dan has been selected to sit on the Congressional District 7 Veterans Advisory Board; Dan is a member of the Colorado Wildlife Council. He is also the 2023 Colorado Counties Commissioner of the Year.
Dan and his wife Suzan have two children and 3 grandchildren and he lives on his ranch near Cripple Creek in Teller County.
Brittni Ehrhart-Gemmill
Colorado Parks and Wildlife 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
Vice Chair - 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
Treasurer - 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
2024 Council Meeting Dates
May – 5/16
June – 6/20
July – 7/11
August – 8/15
September – 9/19
October – 10/17
November – 11/21
December – 12/19
To access all meeting documents, click here:
http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/WildlifeCouncil.aspx
Public Meeting Notices
*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