I began the morning reflecting on the year and got sucked into a tangled political and religious rant, which I’ve decided not to share. I chose to push the re-start button and do some more positive reflecting on the last year. I began with, “What have I done and what things will I do?”
I’ve sat on the Colorado Sportsman’s Roundtable Committee for several years and am nearing the end of my second term. I wonder what I can do to further my outreach and speak up for sportsmen, wildlife, and the future generations. Last year I submitted an application for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commision. I know I can make a difference on the panel. I also know I have much to learn.
Boats in the mist at Navajo Lake State Park. CPW Photo
This year I plan to continue my work and learn as much as I can about the vastly complicated inner workings of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife(CPW) organization. As I attend public meetings and meet face to face with hunters and anglers, many of them present complaints and objections to or about items of which they don’t fully understand.
What I’ve learned is that before we become staunch in our objections or criticisms, the thing to do is educate ourselves. Many complaints are about the management of funds. (I find it a bit amusing because it seems people always think they know what other people’s financial situations are. Why shouldn’t they be the same with a huge organization like CPW?)
I attended several Commission meetings last year and while some consider the meetings mundane, I learned a plethora about the organization and what they’re doing with our funds. The meetings are held somewhat bi-monthly and in areas throughout the state. What I recommend is that you attend one when it’s in your area. You may be surprised when you learn about all the projects CPW has going on, how funds are allocated, and when and how they’re allowed to use them.
The thing-to-do is get involved. The next meeting is January 11 in Denver, Colorado. I’ve shared additional information about the meeting below. If you can’t make that meeting, here is a link to the year’s schedule. MEETING DATES
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to meet January 11 in Denver
DENVER, Colo. – The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will discuss a citizen petition allowing the launching of paragliders from Smelter Mountain in the Bodo State Wildlife Area, a citizen petition on a new type of wildlife educators license, adding hand-operated foldable plastic boats to the list of exempted vessels that can be hand-launched without a boat inspection, implementing an antler and horn collection closure on public lands west of I-25 from January 1 through April 30 annually, and CPW’s new purchasing system at its January meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 11 and adjourn at 5 p.m. at 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216.
Additional items include:
Annual review of big game regulations (including annual changes to season dates, limited license areas, quotas and manner of take provisions for bighorn sheep and mountain goat)
Lake Licenses and related regulations
Annual review of small game regulations
Annual review of wildlife properties controlled by the Division of Parks and Wildlife, including State Trust Lands leased by the Division
The commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. Anyone can listen to commission meetings through the CPW website. This opportunity keeps constituents informed about the development of regulations and how the commission works with Parks and Wildlife staff to manage the parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency. Find out more about the commission on the CPW website.
The next commission meeting will take place February 7 and 8 in Denver.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW’s work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
