Save the Date!
Our upcoming conference will be held on April 27-29, 2026 at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, CO. Sign up for our Partners Newsletter for updates.
Save the Date!
Our upcoming conference will be held on April 27-29, 2026 at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, CO. Sign up for our Partners Newsletter for updates.
About the Conference
The Partners in the Outdoors Conference serves as a vital platform to address the intricate balance between conservation and outdoor recreation in Colorado. By connecting outdoor industry professionals & representatives across diverse sectors, the conference is Colorado’s foremost opportunity to advance toward a shared vision of responsible and sustainable practices within Colorado's outdoor spaces.
Unlike other events that may focus on singular topics like wildlife, education, gear, or recreation, our Partners in the Outdoor Conference integrates all facets. We bring together diverse interest groups to ensure a comprehensive dialogue and holistic approach to outdoor management. We bridge gaps between traditionally separated sectors, creating a singular platform for comprehensive discourse and collaboration. The conference is also an opportunity to celebrate the successes of our network and amplify their work.
Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy
Thriving natural environments and amazing outdoor recreation experiences are what make Colorado special. But our outdoors are facing pressures from growing populations, human disturbance, climate change, wildfire and drought.
The Strategy is a collaborative vision uniting public and private partners and stakeholders to advance conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience across the state.
Conference Goals
Networking and Partnerships
Provide a platform for organizations across the outdoor and natural resources industries to network, collaborate, and build authentic relationships. Explore best practices, facilitate education and learning, and strengthen partnerships to enhance efforts in conservation and recreation.
Connection and Collaboration
Encourage understanding and collaboration among diverse groups and interests, aiming for a holistic approach that respects different perspectives while working towards shared goals.
Problem Solving and Balanced Solutions
Leverage our collective expertise to develop collaborative solutions that balance the needs to increase outdoor access for all, preserve the integrity of natural spaces, and ensure sustainable use of resources.
Cohesive Strategy Development
Lay the groundwork for a cohesive strategy that incorporates various interests and fosters sustainable practices within Colorado's outdoor landscape. Ensure a comprehensive dialogue that allows us to effectively navigate the complexities of conservation, wildlife management, recreation, and outdoor equity.
Create a Better Colorado
Support the overarching goal of responsible and collective stewardship of Colorado's outdoor spaces. Strive to enhance the outdoor experience for all while ensuring the conservation of Colorado's natural spaces for future generations.
Conference Core Values
The Partners in the Outdoors Conference is grounded in our shared mission, commitment, and values.
Collaboration
We believe the future of Colorado's outdoors depends on a cooperative spirit, respect, and mutual trust between individuals and organizations.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to conservation. We welcome and create space for people of all backgrounds and seek to nurture a culture of respect, honesty, belonging, understanding and engagement.
Communication
We strive to communicate openly and honestly to build trust and respect that will lead to meaningful relationships.
Hard Conversations
We value opportunities for honest, challenging, and thought-provoking discussions.
Transparency
We value transparency and integrity in all decision making processes.
We are Better Together
No one knows everything, together we know a lot. We value all contributions to our collective work and support each other to reach our goals.
Audience
Our conference is a hub where individuals from various sectors convene, ensuring a robust and inclusive representation of the state's diverse outdoor community. We welcome participation from Tribal and Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses, schools and academia, private industries, and passionate outdoor enthusiasts, fostering a diverse tapestry of expertise and perspectives.
Our annual conference has quickly become one of the signature events in Colorado bringing together all who are engaged in the future of Colorado's conservation and outdoor recreational opportunities. This includes, but is not limited to, organizations and stakeholders whose work relates to:
- Outdoor recreation
- Conservation
- Land management
- Wildlife
- Outdoor equity and access
- Hunting and angling
- Guides and outfitters
- Ranching and agriculture
- Outdoor gear/business/industry
- Environmental education
- Biodiversity and habitat improvement
- Stewardship
- And more!
Thank you to our 2026 Conference Planning Committee
A HUGE thank you to all of our planning committee members! Members were selected after an open application process. We strive to include people who represent a diverse array of sectors, interests, lived experience, perspectives, identities, and areas of expertise.
Planning Committee Members
- Abe Medina, Colorado State Land Board
- Amber Shanklin, Great Outdoors Colorado
- Breanna (Bree) González, Next 100 Colorado and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Brooke Badon, Town of Superior and My Outdoor Colorado
- Catie Boehmer, Salazar Center for North American Conservation
- Chad Schneckenburger, U.S. Forest Service
- Courtney Massey, Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
- Dan Sprys, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Dani Robben, San Luis Valley Great Outdoors
- Dawson Metcalf, CSU Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
- Elizabeth Dowling, National Wild Turkey Federation
- Gabi Morey, Montezuma Inspire Coalition
- Gail Murray, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Hailey Tresch, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Jake Jorgenson, RRC Associates
- John Lacroix, Human Potential Running Series
- Josh Wong, Denver Parks & Recreation: Outdoor Recreation
- Karla Melgar-Velis, CSU Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Katie Navin, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
- Kimberly Vigil, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Kristen Cannon, Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance
- Liza Nguyen, Colorado Department of Agriculture
- Maggie Gaddis, Colorado Native Plant Society
- Mike DelliVeneri, GFM|CenterTable
- Natalie Flowers, Colorado Trout Unlimited
- Philip McNichols, Colorado Field Ornithologists and Boulder County Nature Association
- Samantha Albert, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
- Suzanne O'Neill, Colorado Wildlife Federation
Participant Commitments
All conference participants must be respectful of individuals’ diversity in demographics, identities, backgrounds, geographic regions, perspectives, experiences, and knowledge. Participants are expected to contribute to an inclusive environment where all voices are valued and heard and, ultimately, to contribute to the success of the Partners in the Outdoors Conference.
As a conference participant, I commit to...
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
- Respect and make space for the diversity of perspectives and voices.
- Know my intent and own my impact.
- Take responsibility for my own learning.
- Embrace discomfort as I lean into new learning opportunities.
- Be kind to myself and to others.
- Respect the spaces where we are gathering.
- Be aware of air time (make room for others and share speaking time).
- Honor individual experiences as real.
- Be open minded, curious, creative, and solution-oriented.
- Be engaged and have fun!
Contact
Please email any questions about the Partners in the Outdoors Conference to:
Statewide Partnership Coordinator
- Shalana Gray
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- [email protected]
Apply for a Grant
The Partners in the Outdoors Program is a platform for networking and collaboration to advance and balance outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. To support these efforts, Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides grant funds to assist our partners across the state who are helping to achieve this goal.