“… as early as 1871, nearly a century before Earth Day, hunters and anglers

were speaking out for nature and the environment … The natural world

sustains us with clean air, unpolluted water, recreation, and natural

resources. If we destroy nature, we destroy ourselves.”

–Jim Posewitz, Beyond Fair Chase[1]

Renowned trad bow elk hunter David Petersen (a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot) founded the Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers chapter—the first BHA state chapter—in 2005, not long after Mike Beagle (a former U.S. Army field artillery officer) called together a group of hunting-angling friends, men and women (the “Gang of Seven”) and stood around that prophetic campfire in southern Oregon where BHA was born during March 2004.[2]

During 2021, the Colorado chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) hit the ground running as the country emerged from COVID-19 protocols and has been holding events (in person and virtual) and engaging on numerous issues impacting our wild public lands, waters and wildlife via our growing Chapter Leadership Team (CLT) and Habitat Watch Volunteers (HWV) program.

As recent national and world events have shown us so succinctly, life is, in great part, about continually adapting and overcoming obstacles (i.e., problem solving). That’s inherently how all backcountry hunters operate in the field, so we know the drill as well as anyone. This report details some of our boots-on-the-ground and other efforts and initiatives during the first half of 2021.

For details/information about Colorado BHA’s work/accomplishments (and problem solving) during the 2020 see: “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers End of Year Report: June-December 2020.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/8/21.

Executive Leadership Team (ELT)/Board

Our Executive Leadership Team members (8 of us as of 7/31/21) are guided and inspired by the words of Colorado BHA founder David “Elkheart” Petersen: “You don’t inspire volunteers to action by decree from on high. Rather, you give them minimal direction and maximum freedom to do their own thing, within the realm of the group’s charter.”[3]

Kassi Smith is our most recent Executive Leadership Team (ELT)/Board volunteer, serving as an at-large ELT member. “Empowering leaders is in BHA’s DNA and we’re lucky to have another outstanding leader join the Colorado chapter Executive Leadership Team,” chapter co-chair David Lien said. “Kassi is a selfless, tireless defender of wildlands and wildlife and a welcome addition to the Colorado BHA family. We need many more like her!”[4]

Our Colorado BHA chapter values include/encompass:

• Inspire, Empower and Inform (IE&I = Motivate) our Chapter Leadership Team and Colorado BHA members.
• “All of us are smarter than any of us”
• “When we all do a little, we accomplish a lot”
• “It’s critical that CLT members are pursuing their ‘passion projects’ that fit within our mission … there is no one way to host a successful event, strengthen the chapter, or advance our mission.” -Brien Webster, BHA Program Manager & Colorado and Wyoming Chapter Coordinator

For additional information also see:

• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Executive Leadership Team Member.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/29/21.'
• “Colorado BHA State Chapter Leadership (Triad) Structure.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/26/21.
• “BHA State Chapter Development (Recruiting/Retaining Leaders & Avoiding Burnout).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/1/21.
• “Empowering Leaders: It’s In BHA’s DNA.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/7/21.
• “Where Hope Lives: A Brief BHA History.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/30/20.
• “The ABCs Of LTEs: Writing Letters To The Editor.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/5/21.

Chapter Leadership Team

Our Chapter Leadership Team (CLT) includes 38 members. Our newest volunteers include Alex Krebs and Luke Fitzgerald. Alex joined the Colorado BHA CLT as an Assistant Regional Director for the Southwest Colorado Group. Alex is an apprentice hunter education instructor and led a Turkey Hunting Seminar with BHA in the spring of 2021. Alex is planning to organize more events in the future.[5]

Luke volunteered to serve as Co-Regional Director for Routt County “I’m interested in providing a voice for backcountry hunters and anglers in this area,” Luke said. “I also support the organization Keep Routt Wild and think the two organizations have common ground.” “We are lucky to have a chapter leader like Luke leading our wildlands and wildlife preservation efforts in Routt County,” said chapter Co-Chair David Lien (a former Air Force officer). “We need many more like him!”[6]

• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Southwest Colorado Assistant Regional Director.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/9/21.
• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Co-Regional Director.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/11/21.

CLT Culinary Liaison

Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) appointed Geordie Robinson to serve as  chapter/CLT “Culinary Liaison,” a first of its kind position for BHA state chapters and in line with Colorado breaking trail as the first official BHA state chapter, formed during 2005, only a year after the “Gang of Seven” stood around the first BHA campfire during March 2004.[7]

Geordie was a featured chef at the 2021 North American Rendezvous Field to Table Dinner and has organized five Colorado BHA Annual Wild Game Cookoffs. In addition, he has contributed stories and recipes to BHA’s Field to Table blog, including Canada Goose Pitas (also featured in the 2021 BHA Calendar) and Fox Squirrel Carnitas.[8]

• 2021 BHA North American Rendezvous Field to Table Dinner Chefs.
• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Chapter Culinary Liaison.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/30/21.

Habitat Watch Volunteer (HWV) Program

The Colorado chapter welcomed four new Habitat Watch Volunteers (HWVs), including: Derek Pankratz, Gunnison National Forest; Eric Lomas, Pike National Forest; Robert Benjamin, San Juan National Forest; and Eric Jones, Arapaho National Forest.[9] 

“Despite the trials and tribulations we’ve all faced during the last year-plus, one only need look to the growing ranks of selfless, boots-on-the-ground Colorado BHA Habitat Watch Volunteers for inspiration,” said chapter co-chair Donald Holmstrom. “Dedicated hunter-angler-conservationists like Derek, Eric, Robert and Eric are collectively making a difference for wildlands and wildlife every day, following in the footsteps of America’s greatest hunter-conservationist, Theodore Roosevelt, who said: ‘Do what you can with what you have where you are.’”[10]

The Colorado BHA chapter’s 45 Habitat Watch Volunteers are following TR’s advice, serving as our “eyes and ears” in all eleven Colorado national forests. Contact HWV Program Coordinator Don Holmstrom ([email protected]) for additional information. Also see: Colorado BHA Habitat Watch Volunteer (HWV) program information.

• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Derek Pankratz, Gunnison NF] Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/29/21.
• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Eric Lomas, Pike NF] Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/26/21.
• Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Robert Benjamin, San Juan NF] Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/18/21.
• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Eric Jones, Arapaho NF] Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/11/21.

College Clubs

Colorado is privileged to have two BHA College Clubs and we hope to help jump-start additional Clubs going forward. For additional information, contact our Colorado Club leaders (below) and/or BHA Collegiate Club Coordinator Kylie Schumacher ([email protected]).

• Colorado State University (CSU) BHA chapter. Contact chapter president, Rylan Morgan, for additional information: [email protected]; [email protected]
• Western Colorado University (WCU) BHA chapter. Contact chapter president, Brendan Toft, for additional information: [email protected]; [email protected]
• BHA’s Collegiate Program.
• Start A College Club.
• Kylie Schumacher. “Students Come Together To Celebrate Public Lands At 10th Annual Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/18/21.

Recognition

Colorado BHA Legislative Liaison Ivan James was recognized in The Holton Recorder (see: “Wildlife Habitat Award” in the 2/10/21 issue, p. 6A) for establishing wildlife habitat on his land near Circleville, Kansas.[11]

Colorado BHA Central West Slope Regional Director Craig Grother was recognized as BHA’s Member of the Month for February 2021. During January 2015, Craig was also recognized as BHA’s Volunteer of the Month. In addition, during 2013 Craig was the recipient of BHA’s Aldo Leopold Award.[12] This award is presented by the North American BHA Board and recognizes significant contributions towards preserving wildlife habitat.[13]

Colorado BHA Central West Slope Assistant Regional Director, Adam Gall, was the recipient of BHA’s Jim Posewitz Award, presented at the 2021 BHA North American Rendezvous in Missoula (on June 3). “A former teacher, current small business owner and selfless advocate for our wildlands, wildlife and ethical hunting, Adam embodies what Jim Posewitz spent a lifetime promoting and defending,” said chapter co-chair Don Holmstrom. “Jim would be pleased to know that Adam truly embodies his professional legacy of fighting for wild places—as well as his teachings of personal hunting ethics.”[14]

Adam is also a co-owner of BHA Corporate Partner Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beer in Paonia and provided plenty of their Keep Public Lands In Public Hands Saison for both the 2021 BHA North American Rendezvous and Colorado BHA Rendezvous. “We’ve just been calling it our BHA Beer and it’s probably our top seller,” Adam said. “They come in 4-packs and sell for $12 each with $1 going right back to BHA.”[15]

• “Craig Grother: Member of the Month.” Backcountry Beat: February 2021.
• Katie McKalip. “BHA Honors Conservation Warriors With Annual Awards.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/22/21.
• “Colorado BHA Chapter Leader Recognized At Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/24/21.

Habitat/Wilderness/CORE Act

Wilderness is the gold standard for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife. In other words, bigger bucks, bigger bulls and better fishing! For Colorado’s elk hunters the importance of roadless land is obvious—of the 15 most-hunted game management units in the state, 14 contain at least 66,000 acres of or roadless acres, and 12 have more than 100,000 backcountry acres.[16]

In a letter sent to the Colorado Congressional delegation early in 2021 (“Colorado sportsmen and women policy priorities for the 117th Congress”)—signed by Julia G. Peebles, BHA Government Relations Manager, and John Gale, BHA Conservation Director on 1/8/21—we stated (in part):

“On behalf of the Colorado Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), the voice for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife, I welcome you to the 117th Congress! Attached you will find recommendations and policy priorities we would like to see advance through the Senate and House. Please review and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.” In the letter, we included a regionally focused priority addressing the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act.

“Contained within the landscapes highlighted in the CORE Act provision are headwaters, migration corridors, and ranges critical to the health of species including Colorado River cutthroat trout, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep and many other species. The future of our hunting and fishing traditions and the North American Model of Wildlife Management depend on our ability to conserve quality habitat and to address the needs of wildlife in the face of dynamic challenges with increasing complexities. This bill would do that, and as such, remains a critical priority important to hunters and anglers. The Colorado Chapter of BHA encourages you to cosponsor and support the CORE Act once introduced.”

On February 26 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act (HR 803), which aims to preserve some three million acres across Colorado, California, Washington and Arizona. The legislation is a collection of nine separate public lands bills the House approved last year–including Rep Diana DeGette’s Colorado Wilderness Act (CWA) and Rep. Joe Neguse’s Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act.[17]

Unfortunately, two of our U.S. House Reps. are misinformed about the positive economic (and other) impacts of HR 803. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) incorrectly stated that this bill would “work against local economies” and is a “threat to … local economies.”[18] Meanwhile, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) called the bill a “Democrat land grab.”[19] Colorado’s hunters and anglers disagree. HR 803 will serve to protect and perpetuate our robust outdoor recreation economy by ensuring our great public lands estate remains intact. Now is the time to push this bill across the finish line.[20] As Theodore Roosevelt stated so many times, the true hunter loves all wild creations, understands the value of wilderness, and stands stalwartly against the loss of both.[21]

• “Colorado BHA Supports HR 803 (Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/18/21.
• “Protecting America’s Wilderness.” Aspen Daily News: 3/6/21.
• Thank your House of Representative members who voted for H.R. 803, and tell your senators to support the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act!
• “Outdoors: Hunters and anglers support the CORE Act.” Daily Camera: 2/9/21 (scroll down).
• “Hunters, anglers support the CORE Act.” The Durango Herald: 2/5/21.
• “Hunters and anglers support the CORE Act.” Vail Daily: 2/5/21.
• “CO Hunters and Anglers For CORE Cheer Reintroduction of Colorado Public Lands Legislation.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/2/21.
• The importance of roadless areas to Colorado’s fish, wildlife, hunting and angling is detailed in this Trout Unlimited report (authored by David Petersen and Keith Curley): “Where The Wild Lands Are: Colorado.”

“Wildness, solitude, simplicity: the Holy Trinity of … hunting.”

• David Petersen: Heartsblood [22]

State Wildlife Areas (SWAs)

Recognizing that State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) are no longer just used by hunters and anglers, the Colorado BHA chapter supported a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission rule change requiring all visitors 18 or older to possess a valid hunting or fishing license to access any SWA or State Trust Land leased by CPW. This new rule went into effect on July 1, 2020.[23]

For anyone who cares about wildlands and wildlife in Colorado, buying a hunting or fishing license is one of the best ways to help protect them, whether or not you actually hunt or fish.[24] State Wildlife Area passes are now available. Beginning May 1, 2021, a valid hunting or fishing license or SWA pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any state wildlife area.

State Trust Lands

BHA began talks with CPW and the State Land Board (SLB) about prioritizing increased public access to Colorado state trust land during 2012. After years of additional work by BHA and other organizations, during 2019 the Public Access Program expansion was approved unanimously by both the SLB and CPW Commission.

• Michael Booth and Jason Blevins. “Colorado Parks and Wildlife opens up nearly 200,000 acres for hunting, fishing access on school trust lands.” The Colorado Sun: 5/6/21.

Recreation/Trails/Elk

The rapid expansion of mechanized trails (both planned and illegal) across Colorado’s public lands during recent years is negatively impacting elk (and other wildlife) habitat. As a result, Colorado BHA engaged in multiple ways on numerous related issues during the first half of the year. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has been working on revising their “Planning Trails with Wildlife in Mind” handbook. During the handbook revision process, Colorado BHA leaders Brien Webster and Craig Grother were included as members of the citizens advisory group to provide comments and perspectives as sportsmen and wildlife advocates. 

In addition, Craig worked with Dave Armlovich for six months developing a GIS Analysis and Report to help shape the future management of the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest to better benefit wildlife. See the report (“The GMUG: A Vision For Wildlife”) here. Also see: Brien Webster. “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Applaud State’s Decision To Challenge Uncompahgre Resource Management Plan.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/15/21.

• Christine Peterson. “Resort Town Blues.” Backcountry Journal: Winter 2021.
• Sylvia Kantor. “Seeking Ground Less Traveled: Elk Responses to Recreation.” Science Findings #219 (U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station): September 2019. https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/sciencef/scifi219.pdf
• A set of related studies compiled by Keep Routt Wild.
• Elk-Emblems of the West: Colorado Parks and Wildlife researchers have set out to evaluate how human recreation may be influencing Colorado's elk populations. Catch a glimpse of the amazing undertaking in this new film, “Emblems of the West.”
• Eric Galatas. “Report: Colorado on Track to Protect Wildlife Migration Corridors.” Public News Service: 6/14/21.
• Young Bull Elk Displaying Dominance (David Neils: Wild Nature Media video).
• Alex Krebs. “Disturbed Elk Herd Responding to Hiker Interaction.” YouTube: 7/15/21.
• Christine Peterson. “Hiking trails are a path to destruction for Colorado elk: Recreationalists in Vail are having a devastating impact on the local herd.” High Country News: 8/27/19.

San Juan River Access Project

Colorado BHA donated $2,500 to help fund the San Juan River Access Project, a stakeholder effort to expand access and conserve 12.2 miles on the San Juan River. This effort is being led by the Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership and includes stakeholders representing CPW, anglers, recreationists, conservationists, tribes, ranchers and local governments to name a few. Improvements will include the construction of a new boat ramp, parking lot,

• Kassi Smith. “San Juan River Public Access Enhancement Project.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/11/21.

Front Rang Public Lands Cleanup

Colorado BHA Southeast Group leaders Drew Trujillo and Justin Frey were part of a 17-member Backcountry Hunters & Anglers crew that cleaned up public lands west of Colorado Springs (on June 6). KOAA News covered their cleanup project. “Taking advantage of the beautiful nature Colorado has to offer comes with a great responsibility: leave nature the way you found it,” KOAA explained. “And one group is hoping their work cleaning up for people who haven’t met that responsibility will serve as an example.”[25]

“This is not the prettiest sight if someone’s new to Colorado Springs or Colorado,” Drew Trujillo said during the cleanup. “We’re gonna get a lot of traffic. People are gonna drive by us and see us and see what we’re doing today.” And their work will set an example for others and hopefully this will be the last time they have to do this.[26] Southeast Group Regional Director Ty Woodward added, “We have more work projects coming your way. Keep giving a damn!”

• Spencer Humphrey. “Group works to clean and combat dumping on national forest land: Garbage has been piling up on some national forest land sites along Old Stage Road.” KOAA News 5: 6/6/21.

Sample of Completed Events

• Colorado BHA Hops Farm Clean-Up Event in Montrose on January 30.
• We partnered with CPW to host a virtual event (on February 23) exclusively focused on the Youth Draw. This event was free and featured outstanding speakers, information, and prizes.
• We hosted a virtual e-scouting seminar (on March 18) that included four speakers covering the different platforms and resources available, how to find public land (mainly in Colorado), tips for cross-referencing information and doing boots-on-the-ground scouting, as well as specific species considerations.
• Pint Night in Grand Junction on April 8 at Monumental Beer Works. Our first Pint Night event of the season.
• Trout Unlimited and BHA are partnering on a unique webinar series at no cost to participants aimed at new trout anglers. Entitled “Introduction to Trout Fishing,” the webinars took place on May 14, 21 and 28—about two hours for each.”[27] Also see: Len Lichvar. “Webinar aimed at new trout anglers.” Daily American: 5/12/21.
• “2000 Miles Film Tour” (5/20/21): Denver-Ironton Distillery.
• Fencing removal project (North Fork Fencing Project on 5/22/21) with the West Slope Conservation Center (in Paonia) to improve wildlife habitat connectivity.
• “Pint Night At The Colorado Farm Brewery” (6/4/21) in Alamosa.
• “Women in the Woods Summer Social Hour” (6/6/21): Grand Junction-Zoom.
• Work day with the BLM-Grand Junction Field Office and Western Colorado Conservation Corps on June 11 to help with the final implementation phases on a recently acquired property that will soon be open to the public!
• North Fork Pint Night at Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beer in Paonia (w/Hilary Hutcheson) on June 12.
• CPW and BHA (i.e., Liz Rose) are holding a series of beginner fly fishing lessons. The first fly casting event was held Saturday June 12 at Harper Lake in Louisville and was well attended. The next event was on Saturday July 10.
• “Intro-To-Casting And River Fishing.” Button Rock Preserve (Lyons, Colo.) on 6/22/21.
• “Women In The Woods Elk Camp.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/18/21. Women in the Woods (WitW) Elk Camp (July 16-18) offers an intensive educational three-day hunting experience.

Corporate Sponsors

• Colorado BHA Corporate Partners.
• Colorado BHA Central West Slope Assistant Regional Director Adam Gall is owner and operator of Dark Timber Outfitters and a Colorado BHA corporate sponsor via his Chrysalis Brewery (in Paonia) partnership and their Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beers. Thank you Adam! For additional information see: Colorado BHA Corporate Partners.
• Seek Outside is a BHA Corporate Partner located in Colorado. Hot Tents! If you’ve been following the latest and greatest trends in backcountry camping, you surely know that Seek Outside has your back for cold season winter camping. Check out the full selection at www.seekoutside.com. Made in the USA.
• Seek Outside Owners Kevin and Angie Timm were the recipients of BHA’s Larry Fischer Award (recognizes exceptional dedication by a business to America’s backcountry values and public land and water) during 2017.
• “Backcountry is in their blood. They design products for our members because they are BHA members themselves.” –Ryan Busse, former BHA North American Board Chair[28]

Press/Miscellaneous

• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (Post) North American Rendezvous Observations.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/9/21.
• Photos from the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) 10^th Annual North American Rendezvous in Missoula, Montana (at Fort Missoula: June 3-5, 2021).
• Ted Williams. “Killing wildlife to see who wins.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 5/25/21.
• “Colorado BHA (July 23-25) 12th Annual Chapter Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/30/21.
• "Tag Team (Backcountry) Toms.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/22/21.
• “Tag Team (Backcountry) Toms.” Colorado Outdoors: 4/21/21.
• “Colorado BHA Q2 2021 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/19/21.
• “Why Hunt Mountain Merriam’s? (Part II).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/5/21.
• “Why Hunt Mountain Merriam’s? (Part I).” Colorado Outdoors: 3/19/21.
• Gabriela Zaldumbide. “Cochetopa Cottontails.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/23/21.
• Winter 2021 Colorado Chapter News.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/28/21.

Upcoming Colorado BHA (& related) Activities/Meetings/Events: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/events

Some of our upcoming (2^nd half of 2021) events include: Oskar Blues Event (8/28); Winter Range Gate Install (multiple dates); Intro to Fly Casting (8/10); Denver Pint Night (8/20); Elk Calling Seminar (8/19).

Jim Harrison wrote (in The Beast God Forgot to Invent), “The danger of civilization, of course, is that you will piss away your life on nonsense.” No BHA members I know have made that mistake. And in the words of BHA North American Board member T. Edward Nickens: “BHA is here to make sure that we’re not the Americans who pissed away the greatest heritage of public lands the world has ever known.”[29]

[1] Jim Posewitz. Beyond Fair Chase. Helena, Montana: Falcon Publishing, Inc., 1994, p. 108.

[2] https://www.backcountryhunters.org/about; David A. Lien. “Where Hope Lives: A Brief BHA History.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/30/20.

[3] www.davidpetersenbooks.com

[4] “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Executive Leadership Team [Kassi Smith] Member.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/29/21.

[5] “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Southwest Colorado Assistant Regional Director.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/9/21.

[6] “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Co-Regional Director.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/11/21.

[7] “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Chapter Culinary Liaison.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/30/21.

[8] “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Chapter Culinary Liaison.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/30/21.

[9] “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Derek Pankratz, Gunnison NF] Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/29/21; “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Eric Lomas, Pike NF] Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/26/21; Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Robert Benjamin, San Juan NF] Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/18/21 ; “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Eric Jones, Arapaho NF] Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/11/21.

[10] Editor. Quotations of Theodore Roosevelt. Bedford, Massachusetts: Applewood Books, 2004, p. 11

[11] Editor(s). “Wildlife Habitat Award-James honored for establishing wildlife habitat on his land near Circleville.” The Holton Recorder: 2/10/21, p. 6A.

[12] https://www.backcountryhunters.org/co_bha_award_winners

[13] “Colorado BHA Chapter Leader [Craig Grother] Recognized.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/1/21.

[14] “Colorado BHA Chapter Leader Recognized At Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/24/21.

[15] https://chrysalisbeer.com/

[16] Chris Hunt and Brian O’Donnell. “Report shows importance of roadless areas to Colorado’s hunting and fishing heritage.” Trout Unlimited: 1/4/06.

[17] Katie McKalip. “House Votes To Advance Package of Public Lands Bills.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/26/21.

[18] https://lamborn.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-lamborn-opposes-largest-land-grab-colorado-history

[19] Miguel Otárola and Caitlyn Kim. “With US House Approval, Colorado Public Lands Bills Move On To The Senate—Again.” CPR News: 2/26/21.

[20] “Colorado BHA Supports HR 803 (Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/18/21; “Protecting America’s Wilderness.” Aspen Daily News: 3/6/21.

[21] Shane Mahoney. “Pursuit Of The Common Good.” Sports Afield: May/June 2013, p. 34.

[22] David Petersen. Heartsblood: Hunting, Spirituality, and Wildness in America. Durango, Colorado: Raven’s Eye Press, 2000, p. 90.

[23] Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). “Colorado State Wildlife Areas: New rules and what they mean for all Coloradans.” CPW News Release: 6/29/20. https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/News-Release-Details.aspx?NewsID=7496

[24] “State Wildlife Areas Deserve Everyone’s Support.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/15/20.

[25] Spencer Humphrey. “Group works to clean and combat dumping on national forest land: Garbage has been piling up on some national forest land sites along Old Stage Road.” KOAA News 5: 6/6/21.

[26] Spencer Humphrey. “Group works to clean and combat dumping on national forest land: Garbage has been piling up on some national forest land sites along Old Stage Road.” KOAA News 5: 6/6/21.

[27] Len Lichvar. “Webinar aimed at new trout anglers.” Daily American: 5/12/21. https://www.dailyamerican.com/story/lifestyle/2021/05/12/webinar-begins-new-trout-anglers/5061044001/

[28] Tanya Ishikawa. “Celebrating our natural treasures.” Telluride Daily Planet: 5/17/17.

[29] Backcountry Hunters & Angers Headquarters. “Rendezvous Recap.” Backcountry Journal: Summer 2018, p. 12.