The Colorado chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) recently appointed Don Holmstrom to serve as their Chapter Leadership Team (CLT) vice chair. Don was one of BHA’s early members, joining in 2005, the same year the Colorado chapter (BHA’s first state chapter) formed and only a year after seven hunters and anglers stood around a campfire in Oregon, starting BHA.

He was also one of Colorado BHA’s first Habitat Watch Volunteers (HWVs), starting in September 2009, the same month the program started. In addition, since early 2017 Don has been the chapter Habitat Watch Volunteer Program Coordinator. Don has also been a stalwart volunteer at numerous Colorado BHA events, and anyone who has attended a Colorado BHA Rendezvous or North American Rendezvous has likely crossed paths with him.

Don is a consummate hunter-angler-conservationist, and started fishing at the age of five. By ten years old he was hunting doves and waterfowl with his grandfather. His big game hunting started when he moved to Colorado in the mid-70s. “I transitioned to bow in the early 1980s,” Don said. “Today I primarily hunt and fish in Colorado and the greater Rockies.”

Don has also been spearheading Colorado BHA’s involvement in National BHA’s Public Waters Access program, created to uphold and expand access to America’s public waters. “Backcountry Hunters & Anglers supports a bi-partisan approach to solving the stream access laws of Colorado,” Don explains. “The anglers and hunters, along with other river recreationalists, look forward to potential expanded access on Colorado waterways. We urge decision makers to come up with solutions that create greater certainty for our access rights.”

Don lives near Boulder and is one of Colorado BHA’s most active, engaged volunteers. Colorado chapter chairman, David Lien (a U.S. Air Force veteran), said: “Don lives and breathes the boots-on-the-ground ethos that BHA members bring to the public lands and waters conservation arena. And his passion for public lands hunting, angling and conservation embodies the very best of BHA. His efforts and insights will be instrumental in propelling us to the next level. We need many more like him!”

In assuming the vice chair role, Don is following the footsteps of long-time Colorado chapter leader, Matt Kenna. Matt held the vice chair/treasurer position for the decade-plus he served on the CLT. The chapter treasurer position is now in the capable hands of David Kinn. More Colorado BHA CLT and HWV news below.

-“Colorado BHA Adds Habitat Watch Volunteer Program Coordinator, Volunteers.” AmmoLand.com: 2/14/17.

-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Treasurer And Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/23/18.

-“Colorado BHA Recognizes Vice Chair For Decade of Chapter Leadership.” Colorado BHA: 6/19/18.

Founded by Mike Beagle (a former U.S. Army field artillery officer) and formed around an Oregon campfire, in 2004, BHA is the sportsmen’s voice for our nation’s wild public lands, waters and wildlife. With over 20,000 members spread out across all 50 states and Canada, including chapters in 39 states and two international chapters—in Alberta and British Columbia—BHA brings an authentic, informed, boots-on-the-ground voice to the conservation of public lands. Since the Colorado BHA chapter was founded by David Petersen (a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot) in 2005 (the first official BHA chapter), they’ve grown the chapter to over 1,400 dedicated hunters and anglers.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the sportsmen’s voice for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife