Energy Development and Land Use

What Role Does CPW Have in Energy Development and Land Use in Colorado?

CPW Regional Energy Liaisons and Land Use staff are a diverse group of attorneys, wildlife biologists, wildlife managers, ecologists, and landscape ecology & planning professionals located throughout the State, working to protect, enhance, and maintain Colorado’s wildlife and habitats. The regional energy liaisons and land use staff work with energy companies, developers, and federal, state, and local government regulatory agencies to identify actions to avoid, minimize, and mitigate development impacts to Colorado’s wildlife and habitats. CPW is a recommending agency in regard to energy development and land use and has no regulatory authority over these processes. Working together with industry and other stakeholders provides the best opportunity to protect, enhance and preserve Colorado's wildlife resources.

What Are Some Examples of Impacts to Wildlife?

Habitats can become fragmented and/or converted to less desirable habitats
Habitat can be lost entirely due to surface use or exclusion of wildlife due to infrastructure or fencing.
Wildlife can be impacted by increased exposure to risk from collisions with infrastructure and risk of entrapment or exposure to toxic chemicals in trenches, open pits, and storage ponds.
Industrial spills that impact surface and groundwater do occasionally occur and can pollute these waters with toxic chemicals, which can directly affect wildlife and indirectly affect adjacent vegetation and habitats.
Wildlife may exhibit behavioral avoidance or behavioral changes due to the increased road density, vehicular traffic, human activity, noise, and light associated with energy and land development.

How Does CPW Work to Protect Colorado’s Wildlife Resources?

Members of the energy and land use group work with other CPW sections (research, terrestrial, aquatics, wildlife managers, and parks) to identify trends and needs for current and future wildlife management. The group serves as energy, recreation, and land use subject matter experts and serve on working groups, committees, and other partner groups (federal, state, local and non-governmental organizations) to advocate for and advance wildlife and habitat protections in energy, recreation, and land use development settings.

The energy and land use group works to:

Review and synthesize new and existing research and scientific publications related to wildlife and their habitats.
Produce distilled species-specific information/knowledge and project-specific recommendations for avoiding, minimizing and mitigating impacts to wildlife.
Collaborate on research efforts that are designed to further knowledge about energy development or land use impacts and effectiveness of offsets and development of best management practices.
Ensure open and positive communication exchange among stakeholders.
Serve as a statewide lead for development of energy and land use wildlife mitigation policies and best management practices for energy, recreation and land use matters.

What Are Some Examples of Industries We Are Working With?

Oil & Gas Development- The Colorado State House passed House Bill 1298 in 2007, which requires operators to consult with CPW when new pad locations are located within areas marked as Restricted Surface Occupancy (RSO) or Sensitive Wildlife Habitats (SWH). As a result, an important collaborative communication channel was established to allow CPW to work closely with developers and the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission to ensure we develop responsible solutions for protecting wildlife while allowing for fluid mineral development. Senate Bill 181 was signed into law in April of 2019 resulting in increased focus by the commission on issues of health, safety, and environmental concerns in relation to oil and gas development and enabling local governments to have increased oversight of oil and gas activities. CPW will continue to work with the commission and local governments as the new law is implemented.
Mines & Materials Extraction - Coal mines, sand/gravel quarries and gold mines are permitted through the State of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety. CPW works with project managers at DRMS and operators to assess impacts to wildlife, review mining operations and reclamation plans, and make project-specific recommendations for minimization and mitigation techniques.
Renewable Energy - Most renewable energy projects are permitted through the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and at the local level through the county 1041 process. Project developers and county planners working on wind farms, solar facilities, geothermal energy, and biofuel production projects consult with CPW during project development and operations and CPW provides project-specific recommendations on wildlife impacts.

Developing with Wildlife in Mind

People and Wildlife

Accommodating People and Wildlife

More than 90 percent of Coloradans responding to a survey believed in the importance of having wildlife in their neighborhoods. As the state’s population continues to grow, the very wildlife so many value and the land necessary for it to survive is greatly impacted. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife is committed to working with land use planners, developers, and homeowners to assist with development designs that accommodate people and wildlife.

Open Space Areas

Large contiguous blocks of open space are of greater benefit to wildlife than smaller, isolated parcels. An effective method to preserve large blocks of habitat is by clustering development. Ball fields, golf courses or mowed detention ponds usually offer little in the way of wildlife habitat. Open areas including unmowed native grasses, shrubs and trees can support a diversity of wildlife, even if they are relatively close to residential areas. The proper coordination and planning of open space, trails and corridors can greatly benefit wildlife.

Hike/Bike Trails

Hike/bike trails impact wildlife in two basic ways: direct replacement of habitat by trail construction and disturbance of wildlife by people using the trail. The removal of grass, trees, shrubs and other vegetation when a trail is constructed can cause significant impacts on habitat, especially in high-value wildlife areas, such as stream-side (riparian) zones. People passing on a trail may cause wildlife, especially birds, to avoid the trail area.

The best way to minimize negative effects of hike/bike trails is to route trails away from high-value wildlife habitats such as riparian zones, nesting sites, or other critical wildlife areas. Topography or vegetation may be used to help create visual barriers to minimize disturbances to wildlife.

Wildlife Corridors

In some cases, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife may recommend leaving one or more corridors through a proposed development to allow wildlife to continue moving through the area. Recommended corridors may follow streams since waterways and surrounding vegetation serve as natural pathways for wildlife. Other times, corridors may be suggested in areas away from streams, taking advantage of topography, vegetation or historical movement patterns.

Learn more about Wildlife on the Move

Landscaping

Another component of development that affects wildlife is the vegetation used in landscaping. The initial landscaping established by the developer often sets the tone for other plantings in the community. Planting native flowers, shrubs and trees, as well as controlling noxious weeds and creating wetlands can benefit wildlife.

Covenants

These covenants encourage positive interaction between wildlife and humans.

Building Envelopes—Building envelopes may be used to maintain larger areas of native plant species that offer food and cover for wildlife. Also, these envelopes can create buffer zones adjacent to areas of critical wildlife habitat. Building envelopes can establish areas that allow wildlife movement, and may even allow for increased residential privacy.

Pets—Uncontrolled pets are a significant threat to wildlife. Domestic cats kill millions of small mammals and birds every year. Uncontrolled dogs can harass and kill a variety of animals. Pets that are not in a secure shelter at night may become prey to wildlife. All pets should be under control, preferably leashed, kenneled or kept indoors.

Proper Trash Containment—Wildlife can become a nuisance and cause damage when it finds an easy food source such as garbage. Developers can help residents keep their property safe by creating covenants that require the storage of garbage in secure plastic or metal containers with tight fitting lids. Homeowners should store garbage cans in a closed shed or garage and only put trash out when it is scheduled to be picked up. Residual garbage odors can be reduced by periodically cleaning the trash cans with hot water and chlorine bleach.

Fences

For wildlife, the less fence the better. If fencing is necessary, then it should allow for relatively free movement of wildlife. Solid rail fences provide highly visible boundaries that are easy for wildlife to overcome.

Fencing for livestock can easily incorporate designs that allow for wildlife movement without additional cost. Spacing smooth or barbed wire 16-22-28-40 inches from the ground allows for passage of Pronghorn, deer and elk with reduced fence damage. Leaving a 12-inch gap between the two highest wires will help reduce entanglement and wire twisting.

Chain link fences severely restrict wildlife movement. However, chain link for kennels can provide security for pets from predators, provided the kennel is fully enclosed, including a roof.

Fencing with Wildlife in Mind

Disclosure

Future homeowners should be notified of wildlife that exists in the area. Colorado Parks and Wildlife can provide free brochures and additional information about wildlife which can be distributed at property closings. With accurate information, residents can take the appropriate precautions when moving into wildlife habitat.

Who Do You Call?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is responsible for managing, conserving, and protecting wildlife. Your concerns about wildlife are our concerns as well.

The inclusion of suggestions made in this text will help planners and builders address wildlife issues in their counties and developments.

Wildlife representatives will be glad to meet with developers and planners to provide input on specific proposals. CPW has a variety of information on animals that may inhabit your area. To obtain brochures or more information, contact your nearest CPW office.