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Media Kit: Outdoor responsible recreation “tricks and treats” for fall

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Bridget O'Rourke
Statewide Public Information Officer
720-219-2919
[email protected]
Photo credit: CPW/Eric Schuette
DENVER –  Colorado’s vibrant fall season has officially begun as colors change along the landscapes. As sportspeople gear up for hunting trips and people flock to scenic trails to see fall foliage, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to protect our natural resources while also enjoying them.  

Colorado is home to 43 state parks that protect 220,000 acres of land and water and host more than 18 million visitors annually. Below are outdoor tips, resources and a media kit on how you can keep Colorado state parks clean and wildlife healthy. 

“Nature is our home, so please do your part this fall season to share our outdoor spaces with others and protect our beautiful landscape,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Deputy Director Heather Disney Dugan. “Whether you hike, rock climb, bike, hunt, fish or leaf peep, all outdoor activities impact our state’s natural resources, so leaving the land better than you found it is a great best practice when enjoying outdoor activities this fall. At CPW, we want to inspire people that they can positively give back to our outdoor spaces in a meaningful way by balancing our recreation with mindful conservation.”

Know Before You Go
The fall season is busy at Colorado state parks and parking lots get full. Always have a backup plan if your desired trailhead is crowded to ensure a smooth visit. Remember, park rangers can issue parking tickets or even tow vehicles that park illegally or block traffic. Keep Wildlife Wild
Many species call Colorado home, making it the perfect destination for wildlife watching on state park trails. In the fall, wildlife can get aggressive if they aren’t given enough space or approached by humans. 
  • Do not feed or approach wildlife (this includes Halloween pumpkins)
  • Feeding wildlife is illegal and puts animals at risk
  • Photograph wild animals from a safe distance to avoid startling them or forcing them to flee. 
  • Black bears in Colorado are trying to fatten up for winter. Help prevent human-bear conflicts by removing birdfeeders and all attractants outside your home and by being bear-aware on trails. 
  • Elk and moose are in a rut (mating season), so give them space and do not approach them because they can get territorial and attack when they feel threatened. 
  • Remove tangle hazards from yards
  • Keep dogs leashed when enjoying dog-friendly trails to help prevent moose attacks, causing wild animals to flee or get aggressive. 
  • If you see wildlife that appears sick or injured, leave it alone. Call your local CPW office and ask a trained wildlife officer for guidance. 
Leave It As You Find It
Parking in designated areas is critical — undesignated parking can destroy vegetation, ignite wildfires in dry grass, and block first-responder vehicles in case of an emergency. 
  • Help keep our trees healthy by not carving into them or pulling down branches.
  • Avoid stacking rocks to protect the erosion of trails. 
  • Pack it in, pack it out. Whatever you bring into the outdoors, take it out with you. 
  • Remove makeshift toilets from hunting camps 
  • Keep dogs leashed and put waste bags in a trash can. Do not hang waste on trees or put waste bags in toilets. 
  • Bring plastic grocery bags to carry trash when trash cans are not available or full. 
“How we explore our outdoor spaces matters. Conservation starts small, but all of our proactive steps to leave a state park better than we found it adds up in a meaningful way,” said Disney Dugan. “No matter where you plan to explore this fall, please respect our natural resources, park staff, volunteers, and your fellow recreationists.” 

Be Careful with Fire
Colorado is experiencing heightened fire danger across forests and grassland. Stage I Fire Restrictions are in effect, and local firefighting resources are strained due to putting out existing fires and helping support other disasters across the country. One small spark or illegal campfire risks our forest and communities.  Water Safety
Avalanche Safety:
Avalanches can happen anywhere there is snow on steep slopes (between 30-50 degrees) year-round. 
  • Before you depart, check the weather forecast for where you are going. 
  • The safest way to avoid avalanches is to stay off steep slopes when they are covered with snow and make sure you’re not traveling under steep, snow-covered slopes. 
  • If you plan to cross steep snow-covered slopes, go to Colorado.gov/avalanche for up-to-date avalanche safety information. 
Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and support our state parks, search and rescue teams, avalanche safety, wildlife conservation, and outdoor education. The pass gives entry to all Colorado state parks and helps fund important conservation and safety initiatives. Learn more at cpw.info/keepcoloradowild. Media Toolkit
The Google Drive Folder below contains several items to help prepare stories and educate the public about responsible recreation.

The folder includes the following information:
  • Stock images of Colorado state parks and fall recreation
  • Social media copy 
  • Newsletter copy 
  • A variety of CPW and partner educational resources and outreach materials to help promote responsible recreation in Colorado. 
Fall Responsible Recreation 2024 Media Toolkit 

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.