Governor Polis and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Announce New State Wildlife Area at Collard Ranch
Protecting Colorado’s great outdoors, increasing hunting and fishing opportunities, and enhancing the Colorado Way of Life
DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), in partnership with Western Rivers Conservancy and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), announced a new State Wildlife Area at Collard Ranch. This 1,860-acre state wildlife area (SWA) in Park County preserves an important elk migration corridor and five miles of excellent fishing habitat along Tarryall Creek, increasing hunting and fishing opportunities for Coloradans. Since Governor Polis took office in January 2019, CPW has acquired for both Parks and Wildlife purposes more than 558,000 acres of public access, in the form of fee title, public access easements and public access leases.
“The Colorado way of life is deeply rooted in protecting and enjoying the great outdoors. By purchasing and protecting this land we are expanding fishing and hunting opportunities for all Coloradans, safeguarding and enhancing the Colorado we love. I look forward to enjoying along with my fellow Coloradans everything the amazing Collard Ranch State Wildlife Area will have to offer once it opens to the public,” said Governor Polis
(Photo courtesy of Christi Bode/Western Rivers Conservancy)
"Colorado Parks and Wildlife's acquisition of the Collard Ranch property marks a significant conservation success for our state,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “The purchase underscores CPW’s mission to preserve land for outdoor enthusiasts. With the support of partners like Western Rivers Conservancy and Great Outdoors Colorado, we are proud to take this crucial step in preserving Colorado's natural heritage for generations to come."
The Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the purchase of the property in November 2023 using GOCO and capital development funding. The final fee title purchase was signed on Friday, March 8, with Western Rivers Conservancy officially transferring the ownership to CPW.
CPW purchased this new SWA with $2 million in revenue generated through the sale of the $12.15 Habitat Stamp, which Colorado hunters and anglers purchase with a hunting or fishing license. Since the stamp requirement was put into place in 2006, the program has helped to secure public access for hunting and fishing to 146,300 acres of land and conserve more than 316,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat in the state.
While the property will not open as Collard Ranch State Wildlife Area until infrastructure needs and accessibility enhancements are completed, hunters and anglers will eventually be able to access the SWA with a hunting or fishing license or the purchase of a State Wildlife Area pass.
(Photo courtesy of Christi Bode/Western Rivers Conservancy)
“Tarryall Creek is a special area to so many people in Colorado, with easy access for Park County residents and folks living on the Front Range,” said Allen Law, WRC’s Interior West Project Manager. “We are proud to partner with CPW to forever protect this stretch of the creek, especially given its importance to a critical wildlife corridor and its iconic views of Kenosha Pass.”
“We developed our Centennial Program to invest in once-in-a-generation opportunities that protect some of our most valuable places and create meaningful access to the great outdoors for Coloradans,” said GOCO Executive Director Jackie Miller. “Western Rivers Conservancy and Colorado Parks and Wildlife have given us exactly that kind of opportunity with the Collard Ranch project, and we are proud to help make it a reality for Colorado with our $6.25 million investment.”
CPW manages more than 350 wildlife areas for the benefit of hunters, anglers and wildlife statewide. These lands are specifically dedicated to sportspeople. Recreation opportunities and regulations may differ in each SWA. Sportspeople are encouraged to check restrictions and any reservation needs before choosing to recreate.
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