Colorado

This is a banner year for amphibians and reptiles in Colorado. It's been declared "The Year of the Frog," and the Western Painted Turtle was proclaimed official state reptile.

But in spite of this great publicity, Colorado's amphibians and reptiles face a perilous future fraught with environmental stumbling blocks.

Hunters and anglers interested in learning more about issues facing Colorado’s wildlife are invited to attend a public meeting Tuesday, June 3. The northeast region Sportsman’s Advisory Group will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the Division of Wildlife (DOW) Hunter Education Building at 6060 Broadway in Denver.

Representatives from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) will hold five meetings in May to discuss proposed changes to waterfowl hunting in the northeast region of the state. Potential property hunting regulation changes to affect restricted access, limited hunting through reservations, hunting hours restrictions, and mandatory check out will be discussed for the following State Wildlife Areas: Jackson Lake, Jean K. Tool, Brush, Atwood, Overland Trail, Bravo, and Red Lion. Potential regulation changes to allow waterfowl hunting from boats will be discussed for Jackson and Jumbo Reservoirs.

Birdwatchers, or "birders" as they prefer to be called these days, are heading outdoors in droves to celebrate spring and the return of migratory birds to the Centennial State.

According to the Association of Colorado Field Ornithologists, 487 species of birds have been documented in Colorado. That puts the state seventh on the list of which states have the most bird species. California (637) and Texas (632) are the top two. What makes Colorado unique is that it does not have an ocean coast line that harbors shore birds.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife will host an Angler's Roundtable in Dolores, 6:30 p.m., May 5 (Monday) at the Dolores Public Library, 1002 Railroad Ave.

Aquatics staff from the DOW will discuss the status of habitat of the Upper Dolores River, present an educational video which explains the concerns over zebra mussels, and talk about other waters in southwest Colorado.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife wants to hear from people in the Four Corners region about plans to expand the Colorado Birding Trail to this part of the state. An informational meeting to explain the trail and how the public can participate in this effort is scheduled for 6 p.m., May 8 at the Durango Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave.

Two Colorado Springs men have pled guilty to hunting without a license and illegal possession of wildlife following the investigation of an elk killed on the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument on Jan. 20.

Energy experts say Colorado's Piceance Basin is one of the largest natural gas reserves in North America. Biologists, conservationists and sportsmen value the Piceance Basin because for its incredible diversity and abundance of wildlife. As the energy industry makes a move to tap the gas resource, wildlife experts are examining ways to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to wildlife and habitat.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife will begin restocking Pastorius Reservoir after severe winter conditions caused a significant die-off of fish. The DOW recently received reports of many dead fish at the reservoir. On April 11, DOW aquatic biologists set gill nets in the small lake but no fish were found. Jim White, aquatic biologist for the DOW in Durango said it appears that all the oxygen became depleted over the winter and fish could not survive.

Two members of the Colorado Wildlife Commission will hold a public meeting at the Dolores Public Library, 6:30 p.m. on April 22. The commissioners will discuss local and state wildlife issues, and also want to hear from local residents about wildlife concerns.