Jefferson County Open Space named CPW Northeast Region Partner of the Year
Jason ClayNortheast Region Public Information Officer
303-291-7234 / [email protected]
@CPW_NE
VAIL, Colo. - Jefferson County Open Space has been honored with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Northeast Region Partner of the Year. The award was announced Tuesday night at the Partners in the Outdoors conference held at The Hythe, Vail.
Accepting the award on behalf of Jeffco Open Space was Mary Ann Bonnell, Visitor Services and Natural Resources Director.
“Their willingness to assist CPW with wildlife management, wildlife education and hunter outreach efforts is exemplary,” CPW’s nomination of Jeffco Open Space read. “Our staff appreciates their partnership and support, ensuring that we have a shared mission to ensure wildlife and wildlife habitat are a priority in Jefferson County.”
Their partnership and support of outreach hunting programs, disease monitoring & an elk radio collar study are helping pave the way for better management of healthy elk and deer populations.
They don't do that just for the highly visible species, they also do work to sustain small game and non-game species. Staff at JCOS continually monitor sensitive species such as Prebles Meadow jumping mouse, to maintain viable populations. Properties with water-based management and recreation are carefully monitored for aquatic resources and fishing. Recreation management is managed with care. In planning or increased recreational opportunities, they work to keep wildlife in mind
Their actions to conserve wildlife and habitat to ensure healthy, sustainable populations and ecosystems are right in line with the CPW Strategic Plan.
Jeffco Open Space contributes to city and park district projects and preserves more than 56,000 acres, manages 27 open space parks and more than 261 miles of trails.
From raptor monitoring to coordinating access for CPW hunter outreach programs, and providing support when contentious wildlife conflicts and law enforcement issues arise, JCOS staff are always willing to help CPW.
CPW’s annual Partners in the Outdoors awards recognize partner organizations that have made outstanding efforts in support of Colorado's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) and CPW’s Strategic Plan.
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.