Presented By
https://sedgwickcounty.colorado.gov/ https://townofjulesburg.com/ https://www.sedgwickcolorado.com/ http://www.rivertrailonline.org/ or
2025-26 Fall and Winter Outdoors Guide
The 2025 Fall and Winter Outdoors Guide is a special publication of:
The Fort Morgan Times Morgan County Times www.fortmorgantimes.com
Journal-Advocate
South Platte Sentinel www.journal-advocate.com
Julesburg Advocate www.julesburgadvocate.com
Akron News-Reporter www.akronnewsreporter.com
Content and photos are provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, except where noted
On the cover: Two pronghorns stand in a field. (Photo courtesy of Wayne D. Lewis/CPW)
Copyright 2025, Prairie Mountain Media
and Sterling
DUSTIN DOSKOCIL
PARKS
WILDLIFE
A waterfowl hunter takes aim
Connect with nature through waterfowl hunting
By Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Excitement, adventure, beautiful scenery — that’s what hunting in Colorado is truly about And there’s no better way to experience all three than waterfowl hunting Waterfowl hunting provides the ultimate way to connect with nature and immerse yourself in the Colorado outdoors.
To hunt waterfowl, you need a small-game hunting license If you are 16 or older, you also must have the $33 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) AND the $12.47 Colorado State Waterfowl Stamp to hunt waterfowl.
COLORADO WATERFOWL STAMP » The state stamp is printed on your hunting license and validated by signing your name in ink on the license.
FEDERAL DUCK STAMP» Effective July 1, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implemented the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023,
allowing an individual to carry an electronic stamp for the entire waterfowl hunting season. The new electronic stamp shall remain valid from the day it is sold through the following June 30, instead of being valid 45 days from the day of sale (fws.gov/service/buy-duck-stampor-e-stamp). Traditional methods of purchasing the Federal Duck Stamp will continue. The physical stamp is valid when you sign your name in ink across the face of the stamp.
A federal stamp is not required to take light geese during the conservation order season: See “Legal Migratory Bird Hunting Methods,” in the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure.
About the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Program
The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program was implemented in 1990 and provides funding to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. The
Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Program is designed to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and water birds. All revenue generated from the sale of the hunter version of the Waterfowl Stamp is used to fund wetlands projects throughout the state. Several thousand acres of wetlands have been protected with Waterfowl Stamp funds. Participation in the Waterfowl Stamp Program by hunters and non-hunters alike is an effective way to contribute to the conservation of this precious resource Wetlands conservation efforts of the Waterfowl Stamp Program improve habitat for ducks, geese, and more than 500 other species of shorebirds, songbirds, amphibians, and reptiles.
The Waterfowl Stamp Program is part of the larger Colorado Parks and Wildlife wetlands conservation effort. Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Wetlands Program seeks to conserve wetlands through voluntary, incentive-based, means.
CONSERVATION
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s conservation mission
By Colorado Parks & Wildlife
The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAMWC) is the cornerstone of modern wildlife conservation across the U.S.
This revolutionary model was formed around the turn of the 1900’s when sportspeople realized that market hunting was taking an undeniable and potentially irreversible toll on North America’s wildlife
Looking toward the future these visionaries determined that, to ensure the health and longevity of all wildlife, a structured system needed to be created.
What is Conservation?
Conservation is the wise use of a resource For natural resource and wildlife management, this means the planned and regulated use of our resources to prevent exploitation, destruction or extinction.
What is the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation?
The model is governed by two basic ideals and seven conservation principles. In its most basic form, the model rests on the guidelines that: Fish and wildlife are for the non-commercial use of citizens. They should be managed in such a way that sustains their populations forever
Funding Wildlife Conservation and Management
Conservation efforts require funding, and the NAMWC funding model is the most successful wildlife management funding model in the world.
PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Conservation
The NAMWC is implemented throughout the United States In Colorado, the model has helped species like lynx, moose, blackfooted ferrets, elk, and turkeys among many others. The millions of dollars generated by hunters and anglers — through license sales as well as excise taxes on equipment and firearms — are the reason this model works.
In short, the revenue generated from hunting and fishing activities constitutes around 70 percent of our wildlife management funds. For almost two centuries, this model has been a large part of the reason why Colorado’s wildlife is so healthy and abundant.
The “Seven Sisters”
The “Seven Sisters” guidelines serve to provide more definition and clarity to these conservation concepts.
1. Wildlife in the Public Trust
The public trust doctrine means that wildlife belongs to everyone.
ensure that access is equitable.
4. Wildlife Can Only Be Killed for a Legitimate Purpose
The killing of game must be done only for food, fur, self-defense, and the protection of property (including livestock) Laws restrict against the casual killing of wildlife merely for antlers, horns or feathers (ie trophy hunting).
5. Wildlife is an International Resource
Wildlife and fish migrate freely across boundaries between states, provinces and countries. Many positive agreements and cooperative efforts have been established among the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and other nations for conserving wildlife
6. Science is the Basis for Wildlife Protection
Natural resources and wildlife on public lands are managed by government agencies to ensure that current and future generations always have wildlife and wild places to enjoy.
2. Elimination of Markets for Game
Commercial hunting and the sale of wildlife are prohibited to ensure the sustainability of wildlife populations.
3. Allocation of Wildlife by Law Wildlife is allocated to the public by law, as opposed to by market principles, land ownership, or other status. Hunting and fishing laws are created through the public process, meaning everyone has the opportunity and responsibility to develop systems of wildlife conservation and use. Democratic processes and public input in lawmaking help
The North American Model recognizes science as the basis for informed management and decision-making processes. Research and tracking help us to best conserve our resources.
7. Democracy of Hunting
By law, every citizen of good standing has the opportunity to hunt and fish in the United States and Canada.
Nestled 2.5 miles south of Brush on Clayton Street. This wildlife area features plentiful pheasant and ducks. Hunt nine different ponds, two of which are reserved for Brush residents Visit cpw.state.co.us or call 970-842-6300 for hunting reservation information.
Located2.5 milesnorth of Brush on Highway 71. Whether hunting or viewing wildlife, common game includes deer, pheasant, turkey, quail, dove and waterfowl. Accessalso availabletobass, bluegill andtrout foranglers on ChartierPond.
PHOTO COURTESY OF COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Wild turkeys in Colorado have benefited from the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
lesser prairie-chicken is a medium-sized bird with a round body and small head, short legs, and broad, rounded wings. It
a threatened species federally and in Colorado.
Conservation efforts ongoing to save lesser prairie-chicken
By Colorado Parks & Wildlife
A federally and state listed threatened species, the lesser-prairie chicken is found in small fragmented populations in the grasslands of southeast Colorado. Unfortunately, populations of this medium-sized bird with a round body and small heat, short legs and broad, rounded wings have declined significantly in Colorado, largely due to long-term habitat loss and periods of extensive drought in the southeastern part of the state Colorado listed the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species in 1973. Since the early 1990’s Colorado has experienced further declines Many of Colorado’s remaining birds are associated with Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands in southeast Colorado — primarily on private lands in Prowers County Small populations are found in sand sage habitat on private lands in Cheyenne County as
well as the Comanche National Grasslands and surrounding private lands in Baca County.
A five-state conservation team is working to identify management actions that will conserve lesser prairie-chickens and their habitat over all of their currently-occupied range. In 2016, CPW worked collaboratively with the state of Kansas to initiate a translocation project to recover the population. Capture operations ended in 2019, and 411 lesser prairie-chickens have been released on the Comanche National Grasslands in southeast Colorado and the Cimaorron National Grasslands in southwest Kansas.
The lesser prairie-chicken is an umbrella species, meaning that conservation efforts to protect them also protect their habitat and the other species that rely on it Colorado Parks and Wildlife has implemented reintroduction efforts to bring the species back to Colorado.
The
is listed as
Leftover big game licenses are still available
By Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Hunters, don’t miss your shot! Big game hunting licenses not sold in the primary and secondary draws are on sale this month and there are plenty of hunting opportunities still available
Remaining licenses for 2025 have been placed on the leftover list and have been available for purchase since Aug. 5. Over-thecounter (OTC) licenses for elk, bear, archery pronghorn, and whitetail deer will go on sale at the same time
This is the first opportunity of the year to get a limited big game hunting license outside of the application and draw process.
Licenses available include:
Limited licenses leftover after the primary and secondary draws for elk, deer, pronghorn and bear.
Limited elk, deer, pronghorn,
and bear licenses that someone drew but surrendered or did not pay for during the secondary draw that took fewer than five resident preference points to draw.
Limited licenses that were returned for refund/preference point restoration since the opening of the secondary draw but prior to July 30 and took fewer than five resident preference points to draw OTC licenses for elk, archery pronghorn, whitetail deer, and bear
Preparing for your purchase
Licenses are on sale online, over the phone at 1-800-244-5613, and in-person at CPW offices and sales locations.
Log into the online system to ensure your information, such as email and mailing address, is upto-date. If you have any problems getting into your account, contact CPW for assistance.
Have your hunt codes and credit/ debit card number ready. Check the leftover list, write down all hunt codes you are interested in, and list them with your most desired licenses first.
If you call the CPW sales line for your purchase, be prepared for extended wait times and have all of your information ready, including hunt codes The sales line representatives will not be able to look up hunt codes for you
Inventory held in shopping cart
When you enter a hunt code and confirm it, that license is “held” for you in the cart for 15 minutes or until you process the transaction, whichever comes first. If the time is allowed to expire, the license will be released to another customer
Keep the inventory hold system in mind when attempting to pur-
chase licenses from multiple species.
Queuing system
CPW’s licensing vendor Aspira utilizes a virtual queuing program, called Queue-It, to mitigate the load on the system. The queuing program will engage when the number of users on the system meets established thresholds.
Once you’ve entered the queue, do not close your browser, or navigate away from the queue page or you will have to re-enter at the back of the queue.
Additional information
For each species, hunters are limited to one list A and one list B, or two list B licenses A hunter can purchase an unlimited number of list C licenses and they do not impact list A or B license purchases.
WAYNE D. LEWIS — COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends unloading firearms when you’re crossing streams and fences or walking on unstable, steep or rough terrain.
Hunting
FROM PAGE 8
If you received a list A license from the primary or secondary draw, you are only eligible for a list B or list C license. If you received a list B or list C from the primary or secondary draw, you are eligible for either a list A, list B or list C license. Hunters planning to re-
deem a landowner voucher should keep these rules in mind before purchasing a leftover license that could make them ineligible to redeem an additional license
Because the online leftover list updates every five to 10 minutes, a hunt code may still be listed as available, even if it was already sold during that time.
Nonresidents can no longer purchase OTC archery elk licenses for game management units (GMUs)
about the size of a small domestic chicken and are smaller than the greater prairie-chicken
Range
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has a Lesser Prairie Chicken Habitat Improvement Program that provides funding to landowners wanting to voluntarily improve habitat conditions on their ground. Funding is prioritized by proximity to active leks.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Size
Lesser prairie-chickens are
Lesser prairie-chickens historically occupied the grasslands of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas and southeastern Colorado. They can still be found in southeastern Colorado.
Habitat
These birds prefer sandy grassland areas that have an abundance of mid-grasses, sandsage and yucca.
west of I-25 and GMU 140. New limited archery elk hunt codes for these units were created specifically for nonresidents. Residents are not eligible to purchase these licenses and should instead purchase the standard OTC archery elk license.
Where to purchase
CPW strongly suggests hunters purchase their licenses online at cpwshop.com CPW offices and
Diet
Green leafy vegetation and forbs seeds are part of lesser prairie-chicken diet year around Grasshoppers and other insects provide an important part of the birds’ food supply during the summer. In winter, their diet includes seeds, leaves, grain and milo from agriculture lands.
Reproduction
Like the grouse, lesser prairie-chickens are polygamous. Males attract females to the leks with elaborate dancing displays, showing off their red air sacs and
sales locations use the same system as you do at home. If going in person, please call ahead to determine the sales procedures at the specific location you plan to go to.
More information on the leftover list and over-the-counter licenses is available on the CPW website.
A preview list of additional licenses was released on Aug. 12 as part of the license reissue process. Reissue license sales began Aug. 13.
yellow combs. Hens typically lay 12 eggs that hatch in 24 to 26 days
Threats to Species
As with other prairie grouse species, there are multiple reasons Factors include conversion of native prairie landscapes to agricultural uses and energy development, livestock grazing, shrub control and eradication, altered fire regimes, insecticides, fragmentation cause by roads and other linear features such as predation, disease, hybridization and competition from ring-necked pheasants.
2025 marks start of new 5-year big game season structure
By Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Every five years, the Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) adopts a Big Game Season Structure to provide an overall framework for hunting
Big game management in Colorado is built on two main planning processes: Herd Management Plans (also called Data Analysis Unit (DAU) Plans) and Big Game Season Structure (BGSS) Herd Management Plans establish population objectives and sex ratios for each of the state’s big game herds BGSS defines a framework for achieving those objectives through hunting seasons for different species and methods. These two processes inform big game license recommendations through the annual rule-making process.
The BGSS planning process is a critical component of big game management and big game hunting regulation development and determines: 1) what, when, and where various types of big game hunting opportunities are available, and 2) how the timing of these opportunities are divided among hunters. Through this planning process, CPW can better maintain healthy wildlife populations in keeping with manage-
ment objectives. While BGSS gives the framework to work in, there can also be extenuating circumstances that require special arrangements In those situations, hunting opportunities (seasons and license distribution) can be limited or modified geographically to meet biological or social management objectives.
During the planning process for the 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure, options were presented to the Commission at issue stage during the March and April 2024 meetings. Then the draft policy document was presented at the May 2024 commission meeting with final regulations adopted at the June 2024 commission meeting. In addition, a minor cleanup to the new antlerless moose licenses was approved at the November 2024 commission meeting
The Big Game Season Structure establishes season structure and dates for hunting season for 20252029.
Plains Deer Seasons
Historically, season structure for deer east of I-25 (excluding GMU 140) has differed from those seasons west of I-25 and GMU 140. The timing and length of seasons in this region have been adjusted to ac-
commodate the different pattern of land ownership, agricultural practices including the timing of crop harvesting, weather, and the size of deer populations in the eastern plains Prior to deer licenses being limited statewide, they were limited east of I-25, excluding GMU 140. The limited Season Choice license will be retained in specified units. The Season Choice license allows hunting in any or all of the seasons in the specified plains unit(s) until the license is filled
Archery — Plains Deer Season Structure
Plains archery deer season will open on Oct. 1 and run through Dec. 31; in addition, archery season will close during those time pe-
riods when a plains rifle season is ongoing and in those GMUs where a late rifle season is occurring. This could result in two or three splits within the season (3 in units with both regular and late plains rifle deer seasons) to avoid archery/rifle season overlap.
All licenses limited Either-sex or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/ DAU.
Muzzleloader — Plains Deer Season Structure
Plains muzzleloader season for deer will start the second Saturday of October and run for nine days. All licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
THE FALL &WINTER OUTDOORS GUIDE
is a special publication in coordination with Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Prairie Mountain Media wishes to thank Colorado Parks & Wildlife for photos, stories and information provided for republication in this section. Please visit
for a full complement of outdoors recreation information.
WAYNE D. LEWIS — CPW
A bull elk visible through trees.
Big game
FROM PAGE 10
Rifle — Plains Deer Season Structure
Plains rifle deer season shall start on the Saturday of the last full weekend of October and run for 11 days. Late plains rifle deer season shall start on Dec. 1 and run through Dec. 14.
All licenses limited Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Season Dates
Plains archery deer season shall be the following dates in 2025: Oct. 1-24 and Nov. 5-30 and Dec. 15-31 OR Oct 1-24 and Nov 5- Dec 31 OR Oct. 1-Nov. 30 and Dec.15-31.
Plains muzzleloader deer season shall be the following dates in 2025: Oct. 11-19.
Plains rifle deer seasons shall be the following dates in 2025: Oct 25- Nov. 4.
Late Plains rifle deer season shall be the following dates: Dec. 1-14, annually.
PLAINS ELK SEASONS (EAST OF I-25 EXCEPT SELECT GMUS)
Archery — Plains Elk Season
Structure
Muzzleloader — Plains Elk Season Structure
Plains muzzleloader season for elk (currently in GMUs 104, 133, 134, 141, and 142) will remain aligned with the general muzzleloader season dates west of I-25 (including GMU 140). This season will open the second Saturday in September and run for nine days.
— Plains Elk Season Structure
Plains rifle elk season — In those GMUs east of I-25 (except for select GMUs, presently 104, 133, 134, 140, 141 & 142). Opens Sept. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, either-sex. All legal methods of take are permitted.
Season Dates
Plains archery elk season shall be the following dates: Sept. 2-30, annually
Plains muzzleloader elk season shall be the following dates in 2025: Sept. 13-21.
Plains rifle elk season shall be the following dates: Sept 1-Jan. 31, annually.
PRONGHORN
Archery Pronghorn Season Structure
Licenses will be unlimited, except for in certain limited units,
and will be issued by GMU/DAU.
Muzzleloader Pronghorn Season Structure
The muzzleloader pronghorn season shall be a 9-day season, limited buck and limited doe, statewide licenses (some units closed), with fixed dates annually in September and a small, fixed number of licenses. Unit-specific limited licenses may be issued in those units that have low overall numbers of pronghorn licenses for all methods of take.
Ri
fle Pronghorn Season Structure — NEW
The rifle pronghorn season shall be a 9-day season, opening on the first Saturday in October, with limited buck and limited doe licenses issued by GMU/DAU.
Optional second rifle pronghorn season — There will be the option for a 9-day second rifle season, opening on the third Satur-
day in October, when necessary to meet biological or social management objectives. All licenses will be limited and issued by GMU/ DAU.
Late seasons vary in length, starting no earlier than Nov 1, closing no later than Jan. 31, annually. Archery pronghorn season shall be the following dates: Aug. 15-31, annually (bucks only); Sept. 1-20, annually (either-sex).
Muzzleloader pronghorn season shall be the following dates: Sept. 21 -29, annually.
Rifle pronghorn season shall be the following dates in 2025:
• First Season: Oct. 4-12
• Second Season: Oct. 18-26
YOUTH
Youth Preference
Youth Participation — Deer and Elk Hunting
Youth hunters with unfilled limited antlerless or either-sex elk or deer licenses will be permitted to hunt any open antlerless rifle season for that species within the same DAU after the original licensed season has closed.
This alternative requires youth hunters to convert an unfilled either-sex elk or deer license to an antlerless license for the appropriate species prior to hunting in any antlerless season following the closure of the original licensed season.
Youth Participation — Pronghorn Hunting
Youth hunters with unfilled limited doe or either-sex pronghorn licenses will be permitted to hunt designated late pronghorn doe seasons statewide after the original licensed season has closed.
PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Encouraging safe and sustainable fun
By Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Coloradans and out-of-state visitors play a crucial role in keeping our state parks clean and making the outdoors safer to explore. Responsible recreation in the dry months can help protect Colorado’s public land, wildlife and water.
Know Before You Go
If the area you want to explore has bad weather or wildfires, adjust your outdoor plan to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Plan your visit with the 2025 Quick Guide to State Parks or the Colorado State Parks Guide (Guía De Los Parques Naturales).
• Camping reservations at Colorado state parks are required.
• Find park events and classes on the CPW Events Calendar, which includes a wide range of activities such as guided hikes, educational programs and volunteer opportunities.
• Download the free Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app to find real-time information about trail conditions, closures and active wildfire alerts.
• Stay hydrated. Bring more water than you think you (and your pet) will need.
Be Careful with Fire
Colorado is experiencing wildfires across multiple Front Range and Western Slope counties. Brave first responders and local, state and federal agencies are currently working to protect Colorado com-
them. CPW officers are actively writing $100 tickets for boaters and paddlers who are not wearing them; however, personal accountability for safety is important when recreating in Colorado waters.
• Wear a life jacket.
• Find a CPW life jacket loaner station to borrow a lifejacket
• Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency.
• Paddleboards and kayaks are considered vessels, and life jacket requirements apply.
• Heavy rain or wind can rapidly raise water levels without warning. Check river flows at https://dwr. state.co.us/Tools/Stations
munities and lands. Fire safety is a statewide effort and CPW encourages Coloradans to practice fire safety at all times.
• Information on fire restrictions and bans can change rapidly.
• Check fire restrictions or bans at www.coemergency.com
• Use designated campfire areas when allowed and available
• Drown the fires out with water until you can touch the embers.
• Never leave a campfire unattended.
• Avoid parking or driving on dry grass. Check your tire pressure, exhaust pipes, and whether chains or exposed wheel rims are dragging from your vehicle, which may create sparks.
“Fire behavior in Colorado continues to be dynamic, with hot and dry conditions not expected to change soon,” said Emergency Management Coordinator Brent Lounsbury. “It’s imperative that people pay close attention to fire restrictions and do their part not to ignite dangerous fires. Our outdoor first responders are working around the clock right now to put out wildfires that are posing a threat to local communities and causing people to evacuate their homes.”
Be Safe on the Water
Life jackets save lives. The majority of water-related deaths occur because people do not wear
• Boat and raft with a buddy and avoid floating alone, especially during high flows.
• “Clean, drain and dry” your boat and gear Find a CPW Gear and Watercraft Cleaning Station to decontaminate your boat, wet equipment, waders and boots Trash the Trash
Always dispose of trash properly when on the trail.
• Pack it in, pack it out. Whatever you bring into the outdoors, take it out with you.
• Don’t leave pet waste baggies on the trail, even if you mean to pick it up on your way out — people forget. Pet waste is not only un-
DUSTIN DOSKOCIL — COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Using designated campfires while enjoying Colorado’s outdoor recreation spaces is important to protect natural resources, especially during dry months
SAFETY » PAGE 14
COLORADO TRAIL EXPLORER
COTREX app gives
By Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) wants to remind the Colorado outdoor community that the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) mobile app displays active fire alerts, including wildfires and prescribed burns in covered areas.
The COTREX app is a free, user-friendly app that provides authoritative trail information across local, state and federal agencies. More than 236 land managers have contributed data on 45,076 miles of trail across the state. COTREX is unique in that it works directly and exclusively with land managers, parks and open spaces to ensure that the information on the platform comes from a reliable, trusted source.
Over two dozen agency partners use the COTREX app to post real-time advisories, including seasonal wildlife closures, safety hazards and other essential trail alerts. Users can plan routes, view allowed use types (such as hiking, biking, OHV and snow sports), download offline maps, and see trip recommendations from participating partners around the state — all for free, providing a convenient and stress-free experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
Fire Alert Feature
COTREX includes daily wildfire and prescribed burn alerts from trusted sources like inciweb and the National Interagency Fire Center.
Alerts will automatically appear
Where there’s smoke, there’s COTREX.
on the website and app, providing descriptions, boundaries and links to additional resources when available. Wildfire and prescribed burn information is checked daily by COTREX.
Management agencies that do not report to inciweb or the NIFC systems can post their wildfire and prescribed burn alerts, though not every agency participates
“COTREX is a powerful tool for planning your next trip,” said State Trails Program Coordinator Joe O’Brien.
COURTESY OF COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Before your next adventure, check COTREX for active wildfires around the state to stay safe.
COLORADO WILDLIFE HABITAT PROGRAM
Landowners can now request funding to protect wildlife habitat
By Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is pleased to announce the 2025 Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) application period is now open through Oct. 9, 2025. The CWHP is a statewide program that offers funding opportunities to landowners who wish to protect wildlife habitat or provide wildlife-related recreational public access on their property
The CWHP is an incentive-based program that funds conservation easements, public access easements, and fee title purchases to accomplish strategic wildlife conservation and public access goals
The budget for the 2025 funding cycle is up to $11 million, made possible by revenue generated from the sale of the Habitat Stamp, hunting and fishing licenses and through CPW’s partnership with Great Outdoors
Safety
FROM PAGE 12
sightly but also disruptive to wildlife
• Bring plastic grocery bags to carry trash when trash cans are not available.
Keep Wildlife Wild
Colorado.
How to Apply
Landowners or third-party representatives must complete a full application demonstrating that the proposal addresses one or more of the following funding priorities and preferences:
2025 Funding Priorities
• Acquiring significant public access for hunting, fishing or wildlife viewing
• Protecting big game winter range and migration corridors
• Protecting habitat for species of concern (specifically Species of Greatest Conservation Need, as identified in the Statewide Wildlife Action Plan)
• Protecting riparian areas and wetlands
• Landscape-scale parcels
• Parcels that provide connectivity to conserved lands
Wildlife can get more aggressive if they aren’t given enough space or approached by humans.
• Do not feed or approach young wildlife.
• Be bear prepared on trails and while camping.
• Keep dogs leashed on trails to prevent them from chasing wildlife.
• If you see wildlife that appears sick or injured, leave it alone Call
2025 Funding Preferences
• Properties that include lesser prairie chicken habitat
• Properties that exhibit biodiversity
• Properties that fall within CPW’s Habitat Conservation and Connectivity Plan’s Priority (HCCP) Landscapes
• Provides public right-of-way across private land to provide public access to landlocked public land
• Working farms and ranches
• Properties that support wildlife crossings
More information and application materials are available at cpw. state.co.us/cwhp.
Proposals must be received by Thursday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m.
Applicants are advised to contact their local CPW staff and the CWHP manager before submitting an application Local CPW office contact information can be found on CPW’s website.
your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office and ask a trained wildlife officer for guidance. Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and support our state parks, search and rescue teams, avalanche safety, wildlife conservation and outdoor education. Learn more at cpw.info/keepcoloradowild.
COTREX
FROM PAGE 13
“We’re committed to increasing the amount of official information we can provide to help the public recreate safely and responsibly around the state Even if you use other trail apps, we always recommend checking COTREX for alerts or closures and downloading a free map in case of poor cell service.”
This tool is designed to help outdoor recreationists make informed decisions about exploring an area. While all information in COTREX comes directly from the best available public sources, it can still vary in accuracy and timeliness However, users can be confident that information comes from a trusted source, and we always recommend contacting local authorities for the most up-to-date information
Be Careful with Fire
Additional fire safety best practices:
• Check fire restrictions or bans at www.coemergency.com.
• Use designated campfire areas when allowed and available
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Don’t burn trash, leftover food or garbage in campfire areas
• Keep the fire small. Small fires consume fewer resources and leave less impact.
• Burn the wood completely to ash: Stop feeding the fire and give yourself an hour or more for the fire to completely burn out.
• When you are through, saturate the ash with water and ensure it’s cool to the touch
For more information on Colorado state parks and outdoor recreation, visit cpw.state.co.us
https://sedgwickcounty.colorado.gov/ https://townofjulesburg.com/ https://www.sedgwickcolorado.com/ http://www.rivertrailonline.org/
Travel theSouth Platte RiverTrail AScenicand HistoricByway
•ExploreColorado'sonlyhomestationofthe Pony Express. Capturethe magicofthe Annual Pony. ExpressRerideinJune.
•Explorethe gravesite of Thad Sowder in Ovid,originalrider with theBuffalo Bill Wild West Show and firstinducteeintothe Cowboy Hall of Fame.
•ExploreJulesburgReservoir, knowntolocalsas"Jumbo",just outside of thetownofSedgwick, and the best place to boat, waterski, fish,swimand hunt smallgame.
•Explorethe speed at JulesburgDragstrip,oldestcontinuous operationalracetrack in thecountry.
• Explorethe routeofthe TranscontinentalRailroad.
• Explorethe historic Hippodrome Theatre.
•Exploreour historic downtownshops.
•ExploreSedgwickHistoricJailhouseMuseum.
