Colorado Gov. Jared Polis recently appointed Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Legislative Liaison Ivan James to the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee.[1] The Habitat Stamp Committee is composed of nine members that represent the four quadrants of the State and functions to make funding recommendations for the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program’s request for proposal process.[2]
Habitat loss is one of the leading issues impacting the survival of fish and wildlife for future generations. Purchases of the Habitat Stamp provide the core funds for the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP). The program provides a means for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to work with private landowners, local governments, and conservation organizations to protect important fish and wildlife habitat and provide places for people to enjoy our wildlife heritage.[3]
The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program offers funding opportunities for landowners who wish to voluntarily protect important wildlife habitat, provide wildlife-related recreational access to the public, and, if appropriate, sell their property to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. From the program’s inception in 2006 through 12/31/2022, CPW has invested approximately $189 million across the state to help ensure Colorado’s natural resources and critical wildlife habitat is protected.[4]
Ivan has spent decades hunting, fishing, and contributing to habitat conservation efforts. In addition, during his lifetime he has had the opportunity to bowhunt 9 of the 10 big game species extant in Colorado and has been fortunate to bowhunt in 10 states and two foreign countries, including three Canadian provinces. His most memorable backcountry hunts were in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, Colorado’s Weminuche Wilderness, and northwest of the Alaska Range near Denali/Mount McKinley.
“When that first arrow out of a recurve sailed over a 10-point buck over 40 years ago, I became a bowhunter for life, but have also done some rifle and considerable muzzleloader hunting,” Ivan said. He has hunted a dozen states, Africa, and three Canadian provinces for big game, including all of the North American deer species except mountain caribou. He was also a Level II Certified Archery Instructor for ten years.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Ivan for well over a decade now on numerous conservation-related issues and initiatives and his commitment to our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife is second to none,” Colorado BHA Co-Chair David Lien said. “He is an outstanding addition to the Habitat Stamp Committee. Wildlands and wildlife need many more like him.”
Are you interested in serving on the Colorado BHA Chapter Leadership Team? Learn more about our volunteer opportunities here.
Additional/Related Information
-Eric Maruyama. “Gov. Polis Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments.” Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis: 1/9/24.
-Colorado Parks and Wildlife Habitat Stamp: https://cpw.state.co.us/habitatstamp
-Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP): https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/LandWaterCWHP.aspx
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Vice Chair Ivan James Receives Award.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/18/23.
-“Wildlife Habitat Award-James honored for establishing wildlife habitat on his land near Circleville.” The Holton Recorder: 2/10/21, p. 6A.
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Legislative Liaison And Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/13/17.
-Gift a BHA membership.
-BHA Membership Specials: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/free
-All Things Colorado BHA: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/colorado
-Upcoming CO BHA Events: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/co_upcoming_events
-Upcoming BHA Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) Events: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/events_afi
[1] Eric Maruyama. “Gov. Polis Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments.” Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis: 1/9/24.
[2] Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP): https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/LandWaterCWHP.aspx
[3] Colorado Parks and Wildlife Habitat Stamp: https://cpw.state.co.us/habitatstamp
[4] Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP): https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/LandWaterCWHP.aspx
About David Lien