Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting recap for March 13 - 14
Joey Livingston
DENVER – At the March 13-14, 2024 meeting, the Parks and Wildlife Commission heard proposed changes to regulations as follows. All final regulations approved at the March 13-14, 2024 meeting will go into effect on May 1, 2024 unless otherwise noted. Updated chapters include: P-7, W-0, W-2, W-3, W-5, W-9, W-16.
FINAL REGULATIONS
Agenda Item 12: Chapter W-3 - “Furbearers and Small Game, except Migratory Birds” 2 CCR 406-3 (Step 1 of1)
The Commission finalized regulations including the following:
- Annual changes to game bird seasons, excluding turkey, and other small game seasons and related provisions, including season dates, bag and possession limits and manner of take provisions.
- Modifying the Harvest Information Program. (Step 1 of 1)
The Commission finalized regulations including the following:
- Annual changes to migratory bird season dates, bag and possession limits and manner of take provisions.
- Modifying the federal duck stamp requirements. (Step 1 of 1)
- Modifying the Harvest Information Program. (Step 1 of 1)
The Commission finalized regulations related to SB 23-267 Chatfield State Park Water Quality Fee.
ISSUES IDENTIFICATION
Agenda Item 15: Chapter W-16 - “Parks and Wildlife Procedural Rules” 2 CCR 406-16 (Step 1 of 2)
The Commission considered changes to the chapter including, but not limited to:
- Modifying disqualification factors for participation in the Landowner Preference Program under CRS 33-4-103.
- Implementing SB 23-059 Local Access Funding to State Parks and Wildlife Areas.
Citizen Petition
Agenda Item 26.1: Chapter P-1 “Parks and Outdoor Recreation Lands” 2 CCR 405-1
- At its March meeting, the Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted the Director’s written recommendation to DENY a petition for rulemaking related to seaplanes, as follows:
- A citizen petition requesting aircraft be allowed on state parks.
Agenda Item 26.2: Chapter P-7 - “Passes, Permits and Registrations” - 2 CCR 405-7 and those related provisions of Chapter W-0 – “General Provisions” – 2 CCR 406-0 necessary to accommodate changes to or ensure consistency with Chapter P-7
The Commission finalized regulations updating the reference to the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines applicable to the Centennial Pass and other income-eligible licenses and passes offered by the Division.
Agenda Item 26.3: Chapter W-2 - “Big Game” - 2 CCR 406-2 and those related provisions of Chapter W-0 (“General Provisions” - 2 CCR 406-0) necessary to accommodate changes to or ensure consistency with Chapter W-2
The Commission finalized regulations to any necessary corrections or administrative cleanups to regulations previously adopted by the Parks and Wildlife Commission for the 2024 big game seasons, including, but not limited to, game management unit boundaries, season dates, limited license areas and manner of take provisions for bighorn sheep, mountain goat, deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and mountain lion, and regulations otherwise necessary for implementation of the 2024 big game seasons.
Agenda Item 26.4: Chapter W-9 - “Wildlife Properties” 2 CCR 406-9
The Commission finalized regulations related to generally applicable and property specific requirements for, or restrictions on use of, wildlife properties controlled by the Division of Parks and Wildlife, including State Trust Lands leased by the Division. Specific considerations include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Cleanup regulations for trail use at the Gunnison River SWA, and Gunnison SWA, to the name Rosenlund Unit in the Rio Blanco Lake SWA and removing the Vail Deer Underpass SWA as public access is prohibited.
- Updating the name of the State Trust Land Public Access Program to the State Trust Land Hunting and Fishing Access Program and cleanup regulations to clarify lease agreements.
A complete agenda along with all materials for public review for this meeting can be found on the CPW website. The public is encouraged to email written comments to the Commission at [email protected]. Details on providing public comments at meetings are available on the CPW website.
The commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. Anyone can view Commission meetings on Youtube. This opportunity keeps constituents informed about the development of regulations and how the commission works with Colorado 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 is scheduled to take place on April 5 in Denver.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 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.