Christmas and New Years Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed on December 24, December 25, December 26 and January 1.
Bison
Adult bison are dark brown, have a massive hump over the shoulders, a shaggy head, and horns on both sexes. Calves are born a red-brown color.
About This Species
Bison, America's national mammal and the largest Colorado mammal, are now dually classified as either livestock or wildlife, per SB25-053. Under this law, privately owned bison herds in Colorado will remain "livestock," but bison that naturally travel into the state are considered "wildlife," specifically a big-game species. Once a species is considered wildlife by law, the Parks and Wildlife Commission can establish the regulations on hunting it. While the last of Colorado's historic native bison were killed in South Park in 1897, wild bison travel in and out of Colorado from neighboring states.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Size
Bull bison are 10 feet long (not counting the 20 inch tail), and can weigh over a ton; cows are more than six feet long and weigh up to 1,000 pounds. When born, bison calves weigh 50-70 pounds.
Color
Adult bison are dark brown, have a massive hump over the shoulders, a shaggy head, and horns on both sexes. Calves are born a red-brown color.
Range
Once bison lived nearly statewide in Colorado, most abundant on the plains, in the mountain parks and western basins. They also lived in forests and above timberline. Bison were migratory, moving in huge herds in a vast circuit across the plains, responding to the opportunity of new grass just beyond the horizon.
Habitat
Bison can live on the plains, in the high mountain valleys, in forests, and above timberline.
Diet
Bison are herbivores who spend half their day foraging for grasses, weeds, and leafy plants.
Reproduction
Bison breed in late summer. Dominant bulls mate with several cows. A single calf is born after a gestation period of about 9 1/2 months. Cows are mature and breed at three years old; bulls seldom have sufficient status to breed until they are seven or eight. Longevity is 20-30 years.
Threats to Species
While wolves and grizzly bears are natural predators of young, old, or sick bison, their large size and herding habits protect bison from most non-human predators.
Additional Information
Book Cliffs Bison Herd Draft Management Plan
CPW has begun the process to draft a management plan for the Book Cliffs bison herd, following the signing of Senate Bill 25-053 by Governor Jared Polis. This new legislation establishes a dual classification for bison in Colorado, as both wildlife and domestic animals. As a result, CPW will develop a management plan aimed at protecting and managing the wild bison that migrate into Colorado from the Book Cliffs bison herd in Utah.
Proposed CPW regulations are designed to implement SB25-053. CPW is not proposing regular bison hunting seasons at this time.