The Arkansas River Habitat Partnership Program Committee was established in March, 1994 to address conflicts between wildlife populations and livestock operators. The committee consists of seven members representing agriculture, sportsperson, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Historically, lands in the committee area were primarily used for agriculture production, natural resources, and recreation. Development in many areas is changing the character of the land use and impacting traditional ranching through transition of agriculture open space to rural subdivisions. An increase in recreation has resulted in conflicts with permitted livestock grazing on public lands and displacement of big game wildlife populations. These impacts are beginning to increase the fence and forage conflicts within the committee area through loss of wildlife habitat and increased big game damage on ranch lands. Population growth and recreation is expected to increase into the future resulting in further challenges to the committee.