Colorado Outdoors - the Podcast for Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Colorado Parks and Wildlife owns and operates the largest inventory of dams in the state of Colorado. The water impounded is used for purposes such as downstream irrigation, fisheries management and aquatic operations, and a multitude of recreational activities including fishing, boating and swimming.CPW manages more than 120 dams across the state and has spent more than $126 million in the last decade for dam safety related work. All of this work helps keep downstream communities safe while providing recreational opportunities in Colorado's reservoirs and on tailwater fisheries. Without these dams creating reservoirs, the state would have significantly less water-based recreation opportunities, as there are only 11 natural lakes in Colorado greater than 50 surface acres.In this episode of the Colorado Outdoors Podcast, we chat with Dam Safety Program Manager and Chief Dam Safety Engineer Eric Eisinger as well as Capital Program Manager Margaret Taylor about what it takes to monitor and manage Colorado's inventory of dams.Come for the great information, stay for the beaver jokes.

In April 2024, Colorado's 2024-25 Long Appropriations Bill opened the door for a new Colorado Parks and Wildlife statewide K-9 program. The new statewide K-9 program will have a lead K-9 Supervisor and five K-9 handlers assigned to the new statewide unit. This comes on the heels of the success of CPW's previous pilot program in which CPW utilized three dogs.K-9 officers aid CPW wildlife managers in detecting the presence of wildlife, whether that's checking hunters or even identifying endangered species in the field. Along with assisting in wildlife law enforcement cases, dogs can also be used in black bear management.CPW recently promoted former District Wildlife Manager Ian Petkash, who handles K-9 Samson, to the K-9 Unit Supervisor position. Petkash joins the podcast to let us know plans for expanding the K-9 program and provide a better understanding of how CPW's wildlife officers utilize dogs in the field and what it takes to build the program.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently concluded a 10-year monitoring of lynx in the Southwest Region of CPW. In this episode, learn more about how CPW monitors the elusive population of wildcats.Wildlife Research Scientist Jake Ivan joins the show to talk about key findings from the 10 years of monitoring including issues related to habitat and coexistence with other wildlife species. Jake also dives into the origins of the lynx reintroduction in Colorado and what future monitoring of the species will look like.

Earlier this year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife released a new coffee table book titled “At Home in Nature: A History of Colorado's State Parks.” It's truly a must-have for those interested in our state's natural and cultural heritage.Learn how this book went from a pre-COVID idea to a finished product in 2024 that is now available for sale at state park visitor centers and on cpwshop.com. Priced at $34.95, the book has been so popular in its first few months that it is already heading for a second printing.In this episode, hear from two women key in the formation of this book. Mary Taylor Young, a famed Colorado nature writer, was the primary editor and organizer of the book while contributing her own writing. The show is also joined by Margaret Taylor, CPW's Capital Development Manager, who also contributed writing and tons of work to get the book from concept to finished product.Show host John Livingston is also joined on this episode by co-host Kara Van Hoose. Give this episode a listen to get all the behind the scenes stories and discover a few of the hidden gems you won't find in the book's index.

Colorado's first rifle season will open Oct. 12 this year, and hunters across the state are getting prepared and sighting in at local ranges to get perfectly in tune to take their shot this fall. With that in mind, it's an excellent time to learn more about Colorado's Nontoxic Bullet Replacement Hunting Program.Following the 2023 passing of HB 23-1036, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has worked with several partners to demonstrate the effectiveness of non-lead ammunition for hunters in an effort to reduce toxic ammunition on the landscape for the benefit of people and wildlife.In this episode of the Colorado Outdoors Podcast, learn all about this program from the people key in its creation and implementation.Colorado State Representative Barbara McLachlan, who authored the bill in the state assembly, joins the show to discuss what prompted her to introduce the legislation. Show host John Livingston is also joined by co-host Kristin Cannon, a Deputy Regional Manager for CPW who is overseeing the implementation of the program, and the two interview an incredible panel of guests that detail the impacts of lead ammunition to wild animals and the effectiveness and benefits of copper alternatives.Included on the panel are Bryan Bedrosian of Sporting Lead-Free, Leland Brown from the Non-Lead Partnership and Aaron Kindle of the National Wildlife Federation.Give this episode a listen and hear for yourself why making the switch from lead to copper might be part of your hunt plan this year.

COTREX puts information about all of Colorado's trails in your hands, thanks to a collaborative effort by land managers at every level.More than 230 land managers have contributed to COTREX data to detail 45,076 miles of trail across Colorado. And because the information is all sourced directly from land managers, you can trust you are recreating responsibly whenever you start your journey using COTREX.Best of all, COTREX is completely free and you'll never have to make in-app purchases to download maps or receive important alerts and safety information.Join us as we chat with CPW State Trails Program Coordinator Joe O'Brien about his love for trails and tech, what features in the app you should be putting to use and a hint at the possibilities for the future of the constantly expanding app.

Summer is here, and the high-water season for recreational paddlers has reached Colorado's iconic rivers. While Colorado manages 43 state parks, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is among the most unique in that it spans across a 152-mile corridor that follows the Arkansas River from the high mountains near Leadville to Lake Pueblo.AHRA isn't only a whitewater destination, though. It also boasts eight developed campgrounds and 19 dispersed camping areas while also offering gold-medal fishing, incredible wildlife viewing and hiking and climbing opportunities.Still, it's the whitewater that many think of first when it comes to AHRA. It's one of the nation's most popular rafting and kayaking destinations and is the most commercially rafted river in the United States.Along with that many boaters and stretches of Class III to Class V rapids comes challenges for CPW staff. AHRA rangers have already responded to multiple rescue calls this year, and there has already been one kayaking fatality in early June.In this episode, hear from AHRA Manager Tom Waters and River Ranger Supervisor Jeffrey Hammond on what it takes to manage AHRA, the diversity of the rescue and recovery situations they find themselves in and the ever-present danger that comes with whitewater recreation

In this episode, recorded from the Partners in the Outdoors Conference at Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, we hear from a few partner organizations in attendance and what the theme “We are Better Together,” means to them.First, we talked with Partners Conference organizer Shalana Gray about the two-year effort to reimagine and rebuild the Partners Conference. We learned how sessions were developed and looked ahead to continued growth of the event moving forward.Then, we chat with Topher Downham from the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks about his collaborative work in increasing opportunities for the disabled community to engage in the outdoors through various adaptive programs, including at Colorado State Parks.We also sat down with Bianka Martinez, an ambassador with Hunters of Color, and learned how her attendance at the 2021 Partners Conference led to new opportunities to engage in the hunting community and what she is doing now to connect others with the outdoors in multiple ways.We wrap up the show with a powerful spoken word poetry segment from Franklin Cruz, who closed the conference Wednesday afternoon by delivering the poem.

In this episode, go behind the scenes with CPW staff from the capture team in Oregon and the release team back in Colorado as 10 gray wolves were translocated to the state in December 2023.While the Colorado gray wolf reintroduction story could take up multiple podcasts, we narrowed our focus in this episode to take listeners behind the scenes and into the minds of our staff and give you their perspective on the capture process in Oregon and from the release sites in Colorado.The episode starts with audio from Oregon of one of Colorado's new gray wolves howling in her crate the night before being translocated to Colorado. Then, listen as we are joined by Wildlife Research Scientist Ellen Brandell, Wolf Monitoring and Data Coordinator Brenna Cassidy, Wildlife Veterinarian Pauline Nol and Public Information Officer Rachael Gonzales about their experience on the capture team in Oregon.Then, we pivot to Eric Odell, the Wolf Conservation Program Manager, and Reid DeWalt, the Assistant Director for Aquatic, Terrestrial and Natural Resources branch of CPW, as they take us through the releases in Colorado.

CPW Hunter Outreach Coordinator Bryan Posthumus joins the show to discuss the 2023 hunting seasons, CPW's novice hunt program opportunities and how his work fosters the next generation of hunters who help fund CPW's conservation mission.

On May 1, 2023, Jeff Davis was appointed to the position of Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife by Governor Jared Polis. He came to CPW from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where he had served since 2000 in various roles including most recently as Director of Conservation.Jeff came to CPW with extensive experience working with leadership, legislators, Tribal Nations, the hunting and fishing community and conservation groups.Join us for a conversation about what led Director Davis to Colorado, what has driven his passion for conservation work and all the key issues facing CPW, from wolf reintroduction and the implementation of the Keep Colorado Wild pass to how we balance recreation and the needs of wildlife.

Every year, bears attracted to human food sources damage property, vehicles and even homes. Bears don't know they're doing anything wrong. They're just following their super-sensitive noses to the most calories they can find. Bears that find food around homes, campgrounds and communities often lose their natural wariness of people. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is charged with protecting and preserving the state's wildlife. Every time we must euthanize a bear, it's not just the bear that loses. We all lose a little piece of the wildness that makes Colorado so special.In today's episode, we're talking with Area Wildlife Managers from around the state about being Bear Aware. We also learn how local communities play a huge role in limiting human-bear conflict and how CPW grant opportunities can help extend the work being done in those communities. Gain a newfound appreciation for these charismatic creatures and learn how you can help keep Colorado's wildlife wild.

Starting on Jan. 1, 2023, Colorado residents can get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass during their annual vehicle registration through the Division of Motor Vehicles.As Coloradans, we treasure our outdoor lifestyle and state's beauty. This new state park pass gives all Coloradans an easy way to invest in Colorado's outdoors, wildlife and local communities in a meaningful way. Your contribution shows you care about Colorado and want to keep our landscapes healthy for current and future generations. Money raised will be used to protect wildlife habitats, search and rescue programs, avalanche safety, local outdoor community projects and more.

NoCo PLACES 2050 is a broader effort by eight agencies collaborating on ways to address the challenges of high visitation and a growing population in northern Colorado's foothills and mountains. This collaboration is committed to sustainable solutions, equitable actions, and beneficial land management practices for the long-term conservation of public lands in Colorado and the quality of the visitor experience. Learn about NoCo PLACES 2050.

No matter the season, Highline Lake State Park is a diverse and welcome retreat. Park Manager Alan Martinez joins us on this podcast to discuss the state park thta is an oasis in the desert. Connected to miles of trails and close to communities, the park makes an ideal base camp for exploring the Grand Junction area. Whether passing through on mountain bikes, or as an end destination, the park welcomes campers, anglers, families and groups.

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 this Colorado Outdoors podcast.

Some terms naturally go together like "Colorado Parks and Wildlife" and "world-class fishing."Few would ever add to that list the term “Superfund sites.”That's because Colorado Parks and Wildlife's 42 parks are recreation meccas. Its 350 wildlife areas boast some of the finest wildlife and aquatic habitat in the state. And even in the United States.But they weren't always so pristine. In fact, CPW's aquatic biologists and research scientists have played a key role in transforming rivers and wetlands dangerously polluted by decades of mining and milling into prime fish habitat by restoring the waterways to their historic unspoiled conditions.They are erasing the dark legacy of gold mining and restoring gold medal fisheries that are known by anglers worldwide and home to threatened or endangered species.And here to talk about the work that took place along the Upper Arkansas River is Eric Richer, Aquatic Research Scientist and Paul Foutz, Senior Aquatic Biologist for CPW's Southeast Region.

Winter range is what provides those limited resources that wild animals such as deer, elk, pronghorn and sage grouse rely on to survive the harsh winter months. Ultimately it is the most limited habitat, so these animals are moving to winter range as part of their migration process because they are not able to survive in those higher elevations where the snow loads are deep and there is nothing for them to eat. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is placing a big focus on conserving Colorado's Big Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors. We discuss just that with Area Wildlife Manager Jeromy Huntington in this Colorado Outdoors podcast episode.

Eleven Mile State Park is an expansive high-altitude grassland region of central Colorado. It is a prime location for ice fishing and anglers and writers consistently tout Eleven Mile's large reservoir for its outstanding fishing. In this podcast episode we learn about its history, unique species and fishery management outlook for one of the great angling opportunities in the state of Colorado. We'll talk with Bryan Johnson, the hatchery manager for CPW's Mt. Shavano Hatchery along with Tyler Swarr, the aquatic biologist who oversee's management of the fishery. Then we'll close with CPW Senior Aquatic Biologist Jeff Spohn, who provides us with some of the history on Eleven Mile and how it developed over the previous decades.

Over the last three years, CPW has received over 14,000 reports of sightings and conflicts with bears. In 2022, CPW will be offering financial resources to communities in an effort to reduce conflicts with bears across Colorado. We discuss that, the sources of conflict and the behavior of bears in this episode with Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta.

Aquatic biologists Jim White and Dan Brauch join us for a podcast episode discussing kokanee salmon in Colorado. They provide a history of the tasty sportfish in Colorado, its role in the fishing pecking order, how Colorado Parks and Wildlife spawns the fish and the outlook for the fish moving into the future.Daniel Brauch

Cutthroat trout with unique genetics, rescued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatic biologists from the Hayden Pass Fire in 2016 - is the story of this Colorado Outdoors podcast episode. CPW is taking extraordinary steps to preserve the Hayden Creek Cuthtroat Trout because they contain genetic markers that match a museum specimen collected from the Arkansas River basin in the late 1800's.

In a first of its kind partnership in Colorado to create a state park on U.S. Forest Service land, it was recently announced that Sweetwater Lake will become Colorado's 43rd state park. Sweetwater Lake is located in Garfield County. It is a hidden gem, both as a destination and gateway to the Flat Tops Wilderness and has great potential for even more recreational opportunities in Northwest Colorado. CPW, The White River National Forest and Eagle Valley Land Trust will now come together to modernize facilities, and provide updated and sustainable recreational services through this partnership. Joining us for this episode is Jacob Brey, the Deputy Regional Manager for CPW's Northwest Region, to talk about Sweetwater Lake and how the agencies plan to develop Colorado's newest state park.

The wildlife mitigation system is a major safety improvement element of the I-25 South Gap project, which spans 18 miles and connects Colorado's two largest cities, Denver and Colorado Springs. On average, over 87,000 motorists drive this route daily. The I-25 South Gap project's wildlife mitigation system includes four new and one refurbished wildlife underpasses, 28 miles of deer fencing and deer guards and jump-outs. Work on the underpasses is substantially complete, as is the installation of the majority of deer fencing, just in time to shepherd migrating wildlife safely under the interstate this fall.In this episode, as this November 2021 marks the five-year anniversary since the agencies first came together to start planning for improvements along I-25 south.

Besides managing wildlife, overseeing hunting and fishing and providing recreational opportunities in 42 state parks and 350 state wildlife areas, Colorado Parks and Wildlife also provides habitat for animals.If a forest is too dense, animals can't move freely through it. Sunlight won't reach the forest floor and grasses, forbs and shrubs won't grow to provide food for wildlife. And a dense forest is at risk to a wildfire that burns intensely and moves rapidly through treetops that overlap.The job of creating healthy forests and improving habitat falls to wildlife technicians and specialists like Casey Cooley, forest habitat coordinator for CPW, and Mike Smith, wildlife technician at the Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area near Trinidad.They are joining us today for this podcast because they just finished an exciting habitat improvement project at the Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area 25 miles northwest of Trinidad.

In this episode of Colorado Outdoors we explain how we test for and respond to algae blooms and the presence of E. coli - both of which naturally occur - in our water system. Mindi May is CPW's Water Quality Coordinator and Scott Roush is the Deputy Regional Manager for the Northeast Region - they both share their knowledge on water quality and keeping people (and your dogs) safe while recreating on the water.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife along with numerous project partners have embarked on a four-year study to help better understand current population trends, habitat use and impacts of human disturbance on bald eagles along the state's most densely populated corridor. The study is expected to last four years and will be the most comprehensive bald eagle monitoring project ever done by CPW. We discuss the study and how bald eagles are doing in Colorado in this episode.

Joe Lewandowski spent 16 years as a public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife out of its Durango office. He recently retired, but before he left our statewide PIO Bridget Kochel sat down with him to hear all of his adventures as a storyteller for the agency.

Don't feed wildlife, that is a statement we preach 365 days a year. We want our wildlife to be wild, these animals are not pets. We are all for people caring for wildlife and wanting to do something to help, but what people may not know is when they put food out for wildlife that is harmful to them in many ways. It is also illegal to feed big game in Colorado and there are human safety risks that come when people feed wildlife. In this episode of Colorado Outdoors we discuss the topic with our wildlife pathologist and a wildlife officer from the Castle Rock region.

In an effort to aid hunters in being as knowledgeable as they possibly can before heading out into the field, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released videos with wildlife officers addressing the questions they frequently get asked. Hunters can access these videos on CPW’s YouTube page in a playlist titled Hunting Colorado. In this podcast episode, we discuss the creation of this with Area Wildlife Manager Jason Duetsch, who came up with the idea."In an inclusive effort to better inform hunters, we're happy to be the first state in the nation to offer authentic online content straight from the local game warden's mouth," Duetsch said. "No script. No wannabe experts. Each officer brings to light answers to the most often asked questions they receive in their district, including access and issues that are germane to that specific portion of Colorado.”“Find your unit, find your district wildlife manager, find your game this fall."

CPW has a K9 pilot program it initiated to see how these trained dogs can aid wildlife officers in accomplishing their work duties. All three dogs in the pilot program are certified with the National Police Canine Association. Their main responsibilities are geared to detect the presence of wildlife, aid in wildlife law enforcement, search and rescue missions and are a great tool used in educational outreach that discusses wildlife management. In this episode we talk with the three wildlife officers who have a K9 partner, discuss where the program goes in the future, how it can expand, how it has worked out and how you can help.If you would like to contribute to growing the K9 program, contribute to the GoFundMe campaign at: https://www.gofundme.com/cpw-k9.

With the warmer weather as spring rolls around, our lakes and rivers start opening up to many and varied water recreation opportunities. In this episode we talk about the different aspects you need to know to keep you safe out on your boat, kayak, raft or paddleboard, and we also discuss our Marine Evidence Recovery Team.

Looking to learn to hunt or fish? We have hunting and angling outreach programs that offer clinics, seminars, advice, in-field experiences and educational materials for people of all ages. We explore those opportunities with Pepper Canterbury, one of our Hunting and Angling Outreach Coordinators, in this episode of Colorado Outdoors.

In this episode we discuss moose - a reintroduction success story in the Centennial State - and what you need to know if you ever come across a moose in the Rockies.Historical records dating back to the 1850s indicate that moose wandered into northern Colorado from Wyoming, but were transient and never established a stable breeding population. Most of the historic sightings involved hunters seeing and/or harvesting a single bull moose. In 1978, state wildlife experts transplanted 24 male and female moose from Wyoming and Utah to create a breeding population in North Park and provide hunting opportunities. Additional moose from Wyoming, Utah and Colorado’s own growing population were introduced to other areas of western Colorado over the years, including to the northwest region of the state in 2005. The project succeeded in creating new hunting opportunities and a popular wildlife viewing option.

Mountain lions are a fascinating yet elusive animal, but when they do pop on the radar they make for big headlines. Thanks to sound management practices implemented over the years, mountain lions are doing quite well in Colorado and the west. The challenge going forward will be balancing decreasing habitats and our exploding human populations, since we share the same spaces. In this episode we discuss that and more with Mat Alldredge, a wildlife researcher for CPW who is a leading expert on mountain lions.Topic list:2:00 - Mat Alldredge's history researching mountain lions3:05 - biological lesson on mountain lions4:45 - their elusive nature6:05 - why did the agency produce an educational video series on lions7:55 - helping the species recover from dwindling populations in the early 1900s10:50 - mountain lions in urban environments13:20 - what to do if you encounter a mountain lion16:30 - Mat Alldredge’s encounters with mountain lions18:00 - view of mountain lions18:30 - groups of mountain lions20:20 - what is the outlook of mountain lions in Colorado22:45 - importance of hunting

Many of us have general knowledge of Chronic Wasting Disease. We know it is something that deer get and it is not good for them, but that is about where our knowledge ends. Let's find out more about CWD - its history, what it is exactly, what has been done in the past and where management is headed in the future. Dr. Mike Miller, the Senior Wildlife Veterinarian for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, is perhaps the world's leading expert on CWD and we tap into his knowledge and experience to learn more.

Amy Seglund is a species conservation coordinator based in Montrose who focuses on species that live in Colorado’s Alpine environment. She’s worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for 14 years. In 2018, she completed a report of a seven-year study of the White-tailed Ptarmigan -- a bird best-known for changing its color to white during the winter so that blends in with snow. The study showed that the bird is doing quite well in Colorado, but Amy is concerned about how climate change will affect the bird in the future.

In this episode discusses how to get in front of backcountry danger in the winter. 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 country3:56 - 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 avalanche5:40 - avalanche awareness classes6:38 - what to know if new to Colorado7:28 - what should you look for when in potential avalanche terrain8:05 - advice for experienced backcountry visitors9:40 - snow conditions this year and more people venturing out in the backcountry10:10 - guidelines for heading up into the backcountry11:38 - easy access into the backcountry can lead people into a false sense of security12:30 - what to do/know/have if you need help15:20 - COTREX trails app and cell phone GPS capabilities

On this episode we will feature Staunton State Park, the second-newest park in the state system, which opened back in May of 2013. Park Manager Zach Taylor tells us about Staunton's myriad of outdoor recreation opportunities at the gorgeous, and expanding, park located just off Highway 285, about an hour west of Denver.

We flash back 20 years ago and discuss Colorado's efforts to reintroduce the Canada lynx in the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. We'll talk with Senior Wildlife Biologist Scott Wait, who was a part of the original reintroduction efforts as well as Eric Odell, CPW's Species Conservation Program Manager who gives us an update on how lynx are doing now in Colorado. And we ask if there are parallels that can be drawn from the lynx reintroduction to an upcoming wolf reintroduction, as Coloradans voted to pass Proposition #114 - The Restoration of Gray Wolves, a measure directing the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to reintroduce gray wolves west of the Continental Divide. Topic list:2:40 - motivation to reintroduce lynx back in the late 1990s3:50 - planning process to reintroduce lynx5:25 - where did the animals come from6:43 - what was the transaction process to obtain the lynx for reintroduction8:30 - criteria for the animals to bring to Colorado9:40 - how does the process unfold for release11:35 - Scott Wait’s memories of the first release 13:15 - figuring out where to release the lynx14:45 - when did the lynx stop being released and why16:55 - why is it important to have lynx in Colorado17:50 - lynx dispersal after release and where can they be found now18:40 - what makes for good lynx habitat19:55 - the physical attributes of lynx21:55 - how many lynx are in Colorado23:50 - how does the species handle human disturbance from high levels of outdoor recreation25:15 - can we learn anything from the lynx reintroduction and apply it to a wolf reintroduction

2020 has seen the two largest wildfires in Colorado history and over 600,000 acres have burned across the Centennial State. Along with many of the obvious concerns that come with fires of such magnitude, additional concerns have been expressed towards the effects on wildlife. In the episode of Colorado Outdoors, we'll dive right into the pros and cons of wildfire as it relates to wildlife, aquatic life and the health of our forests.Providing us with the context will be senior wildlife biologist for CPW's northeast region Shannon Schaller, northeast region senior aquatic biologist Jeff Spohn and Casey Cooley, who is CPW's forest habitat coordinator.

Fishers Peak is a new 19,200-acre state park in southern Colorado by Trinidad that connects grasslands to the east with foothills and mountains to the west, serving as a corridor for wildlife movement. For much of its modern history, the peak has been private property, part of a ranch that was off-limits to the public. But now it is owned by the state of Colorado. And when it opens on Friday, Oct. 30, it will be a place where visitors will be able to hike, hunt, mountain bike, watch wildlife and all the other activities that Colorado Parks and Wildlife properties have to offer.

On this introductory episode of CPW's podcast - Colorado Outdoors - we go in-depth with Director Dan Prenzlow on conservation and balancing that with the explosion in population and thirst for outdoor recreation in Colorado. Prenzlow mentions how the outdoors have been an outlet during COVID and how CPW focused on ‘managing to yes’ to be open to the citizens of Colorado during the pandemic. With that, CPW has seen park visitation hit record numbers and fishing and hunting license sales are up. Wildlife topics are discussed, as is the opening of Fisher’s Peak, the newest state park in Colorado.TOPICS DISCUSSED2:57 - background on Dan Prenzlow and how he became Director of CPW5:45 - his perspective on being the Director7:37 - talking about conservation - the “wise use” of our natural resources8:42 - wildlife that we manage and restoring wildlife species12:45 - ballot initiative on the restoration of Gray Wolves14:45 - balance between conservation and outdoor recreation21:37 - the outdoors have been an outlet during COVID in the state of Colorado24:47 - fishing and hunting license sales are up26:20 - a hunting story on how it took him 20 years to draw a mountain goat license 30:10 - why it is so important that people do not feed or try to domesticate wildlife32:03 - bear conflicts and management34:06 - Fishers Peak State Park opening