CORRECTION - NEW DATES Public Encouraged to Comment on Colorado’s CWCS Plan Draft

CORRECTION FROM EARLIER RELEASE - NOTE CORRECTED DATES Colorado recently joined the growing number of states that have completed their draft of the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy and is seeking public review and suggestions for improvement.  Since 2002, Colorado has been receiving an average of about $1.3 million per year in federal State Wildlife Grant funds for the conservation of threatened, endangered and other species of concern within the state that are not game species. In passing the legislation that provides these funds, Congress charged each state and territory with developing a statewide, Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy by October 2005.  The goal of developing these strategies is to provide an essential foundation of information to stimulate coordinated efforts by state and federal agencies along with other organizations to strategically think about their individual and collective approaches to species conservation. “Although the Division of Wildlife (DOW) has been charged with developing this strategy, it is not intended to be just ‘ours,’” said Bruce McCloskey, Director of the DOW. “We are preparing this for all of Colorado, for any agency, or organization or individual with a stake in Colorado’s wildlife to use as a guide. It is not a regulatory document, nor does it replace our or other agencies’ decision process. It does provide information about the status of a very broad array of Colorado’s wildlife species and their habitats, and a menu of conservation actions or strategies that the DOW and others may use to ensure those species remain a part of Colorado’s heritage.”  Because each state will develop its own strategy that addresses the entire diversity of wildlife and habitats, collectively they will create – for the first time – a nationwide approach to wildlife conservation. The current draft draws largely upon assessments by panels of species experts queried this past winter and spring about the species of greatest conservation need in Colorado, the threats to their habitats, and the possible conservation actions that could counter those threats. “We’re sure that others have additional information about species and their habitats that they can contribute to this Colorado strategy,” said Gary Miller of the DOW’s Wildlife Conservation Section. “We’re especially hopeful that this round of public input will generate new, creative ideas for conservation from a wide range of interests.”  A copy of the draft plan and more information about the program is available on the DOW’s Web site at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/species_cons/CWCS/index.asp There will be a series of public meetings throughout the state July 25-28, 2005:

Denver - July 25, at the Holiday Inn - Denver Central, 4849 Bannock St., south of DOW Headquarters Colorado Springs - July 26, in the DOW classroom at 4255 Sinton RoadGrand Junction - July 27, in the DOW office at 711 Independent Ave.Durango - July 28, in the Quality Inn (4 Seasons Room) at 455 South Camino Del Rio