Top Chapter Highlights

• Kassi Smith was recognized as BHA’s Member of the Month for October 2021.
• Matt Roberts was appointed as a Habitat Watch Volunteer for the White River National Forest.
• Brittany Parker, Genevieve Villamizar and Andrew Coe volunteered to serve as Assistant Regional Directors (ARDs) for our new Roaring Fork Valley Group.
• Kris Hess volunteered as an ARD for the Boulder County Group, Chris Slaughter volunteered as an ARD for the Central Rockies Group and Eric Jones & Noel Worden were appointed as Denver Metro Area ARDs.

Chapter News

Chapter Leadership Team Updates

Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers executive leadership team/board member, Kassi Smith, was recognized as BHA’s Member of the Month for October 2021. Well done, Kassi! The chapter also appointed Brittany Parker, Genevieve Villamizar and Andrew Coe to serve as Assistant Regional Directors (ARDs) for the Roaring Fork Valley Group.

In addition, Kris Hess volunteered to serve as an ARD for the Boulder County Group, Chris Slaughter volunteered as an ARD for the Central Rockies Group and Eric Jones & Noel Worden were appointed as Denver Metro Area ARDs. Matt Roberts was appointed to serve as a Habitat Watch Volunteer for the White River National Forest. For additional information see the links below.

• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Roaring Fork Valley Group [Brittany Parker, Genevieve Villamizar, and Andrew Coe] Assistant Regional Directors.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/14/21.
• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Kris Hess] Boulder County Assistant Regional Director.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/7/21.
• “Member of the Month: Kassi Smith, Colorado Board Member.” Backcountry Beat: October 2021.
• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Chris Slaughter] Central Rockies Assistant Regional Director.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/26/21.
• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Two [Eric Jones & Noel Worden] Denver Metro Area Assistant Regional Directors.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/21/21.
• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint [Matt Roberts] Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/29/21.

The Colorado BHA chapter’s Habitat Watch Volunteers serve 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.

Roaring Fork Valley Group

Colorado BHA’s newest regional Group was formed to engage members and tackle issues in the greater Roaring Fork Valley region. Brittany Parker, Andrew Coe and Genevieve Villamizar volunteered to serve as Assistant Regional Directors for the Group.

“I have a passion for land and wildlife conservation,” Brittany explained. “My hope is my degree will provide me with the tools and knowledge to become an active participant in land and wildlife conservation as well as habitat restoration. My life is built around rivers and I am enjoying the cross-over between my hunting and river lifestyles.” Brittany also wrote a story for the Winter 2022 Backcountry Journal (“Cutting Out The Middleman”) where she details some of her motivations for hunting.

“I’ve spent my life trying to get closer to nature, trying to close the gap between the human world and the natural world, never able to build a bridge long enough and not understanding why, until now,” she wrote. “All these years nature was a source of pleasure, while the grocery store was a source of sustenance. I knew I was never going to bridge that gap without cutting out that middleman … Pulling the blade from its sheath I grab the deer’s hide … My knife pierces the skin, and we begin breaking down the animal—cutting out the middleman piece by piece.”[1]

After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a Master’s degree in Sport Administration, Andrew worked in Athletic Administration at Division 1 universities across the country. He’s currently the Athletic Supervisor for the City of Glenwood Springs. Andrew first heard about BHA during an episode of the MeatEater TV show.

“I have a passion for the outdoors that many of my colleagues in BHA share and I would like to do my part in helping others that may be new to our way of life experience it and show them just how enjoyable it can be,” he said. “I would also like to expand my volunteer work into helping veterans who have been injured during their service find peace in the normal lives through hunting, fishing and the outdoors.”

Genevieve has a Masters in Environmental Management from Western Colorado University researching “ReWilding Children and the Built Environment.” She also completed a BS in Landscape Horticulture and Design at Colorado State University and has been designing Rocky Mountain landscapes since the 90s. In addition, she has launched a side project/solo design practice, salt + dirt | outside design, called Backcountry Backyards.

Genevieve is also a writer, which started with first her published magazine story in Gray’s Sporting Journal on her first Mongolian taimen trip. Since then she has been published in a variety of magazines and newspapers and is a columnist (15 years) on nature, food, wildlife and the interconnectedness of it all. In addition, she’s the food beat reporter for the Sopris Sun, with a focus on farming, ranching, foraging, hunting, fishing and community.

“A surprising 90% of all new hunters are actually women and girls. ‘Adult onset hunters’ are another demographic on the rise,” Genevieve wrote in a Nov. 3 Sopris Sun story (“Voices in Hunting”). “State wildlife agencies are reaching out to foodies, urbanites, hipsters and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) communities …”[2] And there’s more! She’s an Artemis ambassador with the National Wildlife Federation, tasked with growing the female conservation, hunting and angling community.

On Nov. 13, 2001, the Colorado BHA and Artemis sponsored an evening of storytelling at Marble Distilling Company in Carbondale. Although this “Voices in Hunting” event has already taken place, the related story (link follows) provides some insights to how hunting is changing: Geneviéve Villamizar. “Voices in Hunting: a storytelling event.” Sopris Sun: 11/3/21.

We currently have eleven (11) Colorado BHA Groups: Northern Colorado, Boulder County, Denver Metro Area, Southeast Colorado, Central Rockies, Roaring Fork Valley, Routt County, Gunnison Valley/County, Southwest Colorado, Central West Slope, Grand Valley/Mesa County: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/group_leaders

Women in the Woods (WitW)

“At the beginning of 2019, we started producing blog posts highlighting women who have made careers in the outdoors,” explained Colorado BHA board member Kassi Smith. “Shortly after came virtual events with specific educational focuses, giving women the opportunity to ask questions in a format that was fun and relaxed … I continually brainstormed ways to get folks together in person in the field. Women in the Woods Camp started as many things do: making the right connections at the right time.”[3]

“Using the network of people I’ve met through my time volunteering for BHA, I started pitching ideas for themed camps,” Kassi added. During 2021 she spearheaded three such camps: Elk, Fly Fishing, Waterfowl & Upland Game. During July, the inaugural “Women in the Woods Elk Camp” launched a season of beginners hunting, fishing and angling weekends designed to pair novice sportswomen with seasoned mentors.[4]

Elk camp included six mentees, three mentors and several volunteers gathered for a 2.5-day elk hunt in Colorado’s beautiful San Luis Valley. A second WitW Camp hosted 20 new fly fishers (Sept. 25-26) alongside Michele White of Tumbling Trout and Erin Crider of Colorado Women on the Fly. This was followed by a WitW Waterfowl and Upland Game Camp, which offered a hands-on 2.5-day educational hunting experience for six new hunters (Oct. 15-17). Our friends at Heritage Sporting Club along with volunteers provided 2 to 1 mentoring.

Women in the Woods Camps will pick up again in early 2022 with Ice Fishing Day Camp. “Recreating in the outdoors is not gendered, and conservation reaches far beyond our imposed societal norms and expectations,” Kassi said. “Women in the Woods is just one part of a much larger push towards introducing people to the importance of protecting lands, waters and all that inhabit them.”[5]

“The efficacy of R3 [recruitment, retention and reactivation] programming shouldn’t necessarily be measured by brand-new hunters but rather measured by the people who have a better understanding of how and why hunting plays an important role in wildlife conservation and habitat management and where it plays a role in society moving forward,” added Trey Curtiss, BHA’s R3 coordinator.[6]

Beer, Bands And Public Lands

Colorado BHA’s Southeast Group Sponsorship and Media Coordinator, Drew Trujillo, has organized many of our chapter’s most successful events, including “Beer, Bands And Public Lands” at Oskar Blues in downtown Colorado Springs on August 28, 2021, “Our Biggest Party of the Year!” The event had 100+ attendees and grossed nearly $6,000!

Drew arranged for the entire basement of Oskar Blues to be used (i.e., donated) for the event and secured multiple sponsorships (see event listing for prize packages via link below) and made sure we had incentives (BHA branded pint glasses) for ticket buyers. Drew also had the event promoted on local radio and television stations, found bands and enlisted the participation of multiple breweries from across the state.

“Merchandise and prize tables were fully staffed and well organized and after event financial processing was a breeze because of the strong accounting practices of this group,” BHA Program Manager/Colorado Coordinator Brien Webster said. “The entire Group leadership team was involved in all phases of the event.” “The Southeast Group’s hard work and success exemplify the growing potential of our regional team model,” chapter co-chair David Lien said.[7]

“The event was a lot of fun, well attended, and successful,” Brien added. “Drew excels at marketing events, securing sponsors and acquiring donations. He’s a big asset to the chapter and always exceeds expectations.” “This outstanding event is also a testament to Regional Director Ty Woodward’s hard work at building the Southeast Group’s deep bench of talented and dedicated leaders,” David added.

“Most importantly, attendees, volunteers and staff all left the event feeling energized,” Brien said. For additional information see: “Colorado BHA & Oskar Blues Present Beer, Bands And Public Lands” link. Also see: “Colorado BHA State Chapter Leadership (Triad) Structure.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/26/21; “Empowering Leaders: It’s In BHA’s DNA.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/7/21.

Hunting For Sustainability (H4S)

Adam and Ana Gall own Timber to Table Guide Service and have created an entire guiding service framed by ethical hunting and putting the highest-quality food on the table combined with providing instruction and training to new hunters.

Each fall Adam and Ana host a Hunting for Sustainability Workshop (Nov. 9-11, 2021) to provide adult-onset hunters a hands-on experience that includes field dressing, butchering, a range day and in depth conversations about conservation history, ethics and the North American Model.

And their hard work has not gone unnoticed. As detailed in the Fall 2021 Backcountry Journal: “BHA’s Jim Posewitz Award recognizes outstanding ethical behavior in the field and the education of the outdoor public on the importance of ethical behavior. The winner of the 2021 Posewitz award is Adam Gall of Paonia, Colorado, a business owner, outfitter and longtime BHA member, volunteer and supporter.”[8]

“A former teacher and selfless advocate for our wildlands, wildlife and ethical hunting, Adam could qualify for any number BHA awards,” added Colorado BHA co-chair David Lien. “There’s little doubt Jim Posewitz 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.”

“It’s not about 300-inch bull every time you go out,” Adam said. “It’s about putting some of the best meat in the world in the freezer to feed your family. If every year I can introduce five or six people to hunting, and they keep hunting on public lands for the rest of their lives, they have families, and share that with their kids, now you have more people vested in public lands who will speak up for them.”[9]

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 the 2021 BHA North American 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.”[10] For additional information see the links below.

• Hunting For Sustainability (H4S).
• Timber to Table Guide Service: https://timbertotableguideservice.com/
• Chrysalis Barrell Aged Beer (in Paonia): https://chrysalisbeer.com/
• “Colorado BHA Chapter Leader Recognized At Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/24/21.
• Brien Webster. “Timber to Table Elk Hunt.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/14/20.

Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison (GMUG) Plan Revision

Central West Slope Regional Director Craig Grother spearheaded Colorado BHA’s input on

the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison (GMUG) draft forest plan. Craig and Dave Armlovich spent six months developing a GIS Analysis and Report to help shape the future management of the GMUG National Forest to better benefit wildlife. You can see the report (“The GMUG: A Vision For Wildlife”) here.

As explained by Craig, “This draft plan does two things, it establishes a range of alternative visions that would guide management on the forest for the next 15-20 years and it gives you the opportunity to advocate for the vision and plan components you believe are needed to sustain healthy wildlife populations and our hunting heritage for decades to come.” 

With Craig in the lead, the Colorado Chapter has been actively engaged on this plan for years, publishing a GIS analysis and report, working with partners to build a strong wildlife vision on the GMUG, and submitting comments to the Forest Service throughout the planning process. BHA also hosted two virtual GMUG Comment Writing Workshops: on Oct. 5 and Oct. 26, 2021.

“The GMUG Plan revision has been top priority for me. Outstanding support from Brien Webster and Jon Holst of TRCP,” Craig added. “I’m now a member of the Ouray Recreation and Conservation Alliance. A new CPW Regional Partnership.” Craig was also recognized as BHA’s Member of the Month for February 2021! For additional information see the links below.

• “The GMUG: A Vision For Wildlife.”
• Jon Holst, Colorado Field Representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Proposed management plan prioritizes wildlife.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 11/7/21.
• “Craig Grother: Member of the Month.” Backcountry Beat: February 2021.

Trails vs. Elk

As detailed in a 2018 Colorado BHA report (“Impacts of Off-Road Recreation on Public Lands Habitat”), “Wildlife habitat in Colorado is being significantly impacted by the proliferation of mechanized (i.e., mountain bike) and motorized (ATV/OHV) trails on public lands. Sportsmen and wildlife managers are finding that elk hunting opportunities, in particular, are being compromised by trail development in many parts of the state.”[11]

Publications based on data collected at the USDA Forest Service’s Starkey Experimental Forest and Range near La Grande, Oregon, from 2002 through 2004 show how motorized and non-motorized types of recreation––ATV use, mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking––affect elk.[12] Avoiding bikes and motors, in particular, takes a toll on elk (in two ways): increased energy expenditures and decreased access to food sources.

Nearly half (44 percent) of all elk locations detected by telemetry during the recreation activities occurred in the 15 percent of the study area that was farthest from trails. In oth­er words, a large number of elk sought refuge by crowding into a smaller range. “You’ve basically reduced what we call carry­ing capacity, the number of animals that can make a living on the landscape,” Wisdom said. He calls this type of habitat loss “habitat com­pression.”[13]

Jon Holst, a former CPW employee, is currently Colorado Field Representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, there are nearly 40,000 miles of mapped motorized and non-motorized trails in Colorado,” he explained. “Some estimates suggest there exists an additional 25 to 30 percent of unmapped, user-created trails near popular mountain biking communities.”[14]

With so much of Colorado’s public lands base crisscrossed with trails and roads, “access” has become “excess” and the end result for hunters, big game and other wildlife is decidedly negative, with elk feeling the heat first and foremost. It’s a slippery slope from more mechanized and motorized trails to fewer elk and hunting opportunities, but here in Colorado we’re already getting a disturbing preview of how it ends.[15] For additional information see the sources/links below.

• “Trails vs. Elk: ‘They’re Just Dying Off.’” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/3/21.
• “More trails a slippery slope to less hunting.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 12/9/21.
• Jon Holst, Colorado Field Representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Proposed management plan prioritizes wildlife.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 11/7/21.
• “Colorado BHA Report: Impacts of Off-Road Recreation on Public Lands Habitat.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/21/18.
• A set of related studies compiled by Keep Routt Wild.
• 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
• 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.”
• “Why Hunt Rocky Mountain Elk? (Part II).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/25/21.
• “Colorado’s 2021 Guide for Planning Trails with Wildlife in Mind.” Appendix A includes standard protocols for how and where the trails are developed (i.e., Avoid, Minimize, Mitigate).
• “Opportunities to Improve Sensitive Habitat and Movement Route Connectivity for Colorado’s Big Game Species.” Colorado Department of Natural Resources: 9/7/21.
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). “2020 Status Report: Big Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors.” CPW: May 2020.

Wilderness & “30 by 30” Initiative

Wilderness designation—the gold standard for wildlife habitat and backcountry hunting grounds—protects mostly high-elevation mountaintops in Colorado. A mere 3 percent of the lower 48 is protected as wilderness. Which is why Colorado BHA supports bills like HR 803 (Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act).[16]

The legislation is a collection of nine separate public lands bills the House approved last year–including Rep Diana DeGette’s Colorado Wilderness Act and Rep. Joe Neguse’s Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act.[17] Conservation Colorado’s 2021 Conservation in the West survey found that 81 percent of Coloradans support a national goal of protecting 30 percent of America’s lands and oceans by 2030.[18]

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney praised efforts to conserve a minimum of 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. “…we commend the Biden administration for taking a bold step forward toward their long-term conservation,” Tawney said. “We share a commitment to securing important landscapes, maintaining biodiversity and advancing durable policy solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”[19] See the following links/sources for additional information.

• Hunting and Fishing Community Statement on the “30 by 30” Initiative.
• The White House. “A Proclamation on National Wilderness Month, 2021.” Briefing Room-Presidential Actions: 8/31/21.
• Katie McKalip. “Administration’s ‘America The Beautiful’ Plan Focuses On Collaboration, Transparency, Backcountry.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/6/21.
• “The 10th Mountain Division & HR 803 (Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/27/21.
• “Preserve Camp Hale and other public lands for future generations: Wilderness bill will protect Colorado’s robust outdoor recreation economy.” Colorado Newsline: 9/24/21.
• “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.
• “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.

Other Issues/Events

• Lexi Tuddenham (Executive Director of Sheep Mountain Alliance) and Jesse Dudley (Assistant Regional Director, Central West Slope, Colorado Chapter, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers). “Hunting ethics.” Telluride Daily Planet: 11/26/21.
• Jonathan Romeo. “Land of too many uses?: Forest Service grapples with grazing, wildlife issues.” The Durango Telegraph: 11/18/21.
• “Southwest Colorado (‘Armed Hiking’) Elk Hunt.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/15/21.
• Paige Blankenbuehler. “‘A ticking time bomb for a mass die-off’: Recent grazing decisions continue to risk Southwest Colorado’s bighorns.” High Country News: 11/4/21.
• “Why Hunt Rocky Mountain Elk? (Part II).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/25/21.
• “Why Hunt Rocky Mountain Elk? (Part I).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/15/21.
• Robert Shettel. “Colorado Hunters: Vote No On Amendment 78.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/15/21.
• “Colorado Hunters & Anglers Applaud Movement on Wildlife Corridor Conservation.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/29/21.
• “Colorado Elk Hunting: Right Place, Right Time.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/23/21.
• “Conservation (& Conciliation).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/15/21.
• “Colorado BHA: Zephyr Mining Permit Application Should Be Denied.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/13/21.

Founded by Mike Beagle, a former U.S. Army field artillery officer, and formed around an Oregon campfire, in 2004, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the voice for our nation’s wild public lands, waters and wildlife. With over 40,000 members spread out across all 50 states and 13 Canadian provinces and territories—including chapters in 48 states, two Canadian provinces and one territory, and Washington, D.C.—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 their boots-on-the-ground presence to some 2,000 dedicated hunters and anglers.

[1] Brittany Parker. “Cutting Out The Middleman.” Backcountry Journal: Winter 2022, p. 63.

[2] Geneviéve Villamizar. “Voices in Hunting: a storytelling event.” Sopris Sun: 11/3/21.

[3] Kassi Smith. “Women In The Woods.” Backcountry Journal: Winter 2022, p. 31.

[4] Kassi Smith. “Women In The Woods Elk Camp.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/23/21.

[5] Kassi Smith. “Women In The Woods.” Backcountry Journal: Winter 2022, p. 31.

[6] Trey Curtiss is BHA’s R3 coordinator. “R3: The Why.” Backcountry Journal: Fall 2021, p. 37.

[7] “Colorado BHA State Chapter Leadership (Triad) Structure.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/26/21.

[8] Editor(s). “BHA’s 2021 Award Winners.” Backcountry Journal: Fall 2021, p. 11.

[9] Brian Ohlen. “Gunnison Basin And Thompson Divide, Colorado.” Backcountry Journal: Winter 2017, p. 5.

[10] https://chrysalisbeer.com/

[11] “Colorado BHA Report: Impacts of Off-Road Recreation on Public Lands Habitat.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/21/18; George Wuerthner. “Impacts of Mountain Biking.” The Wildlife News: 6/18/19.

[12] 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

[13] Ibid.

[14] Jon Holst, Colorado Field Representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Proposed management plan prioritizes wildlife.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 11/7/21.

[15] David A. Lien. “Defending Wilderness and Hunting Defends Our Right to Bear Arms.” NewWest: 3/29/07.

[16] “The 10th Mountain Division & HR 803 (Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/27/21; “Preserve Camp Hale and other public lands for future generations: Wilderness bill will protect Colorado’s robust outdoor recreation economy.” Colorado Newsline: 9/24/21.

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

[18] https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2021/CO2021_SotR_StateFactSheets.pdf

[19] Carrie Stadheim. “Biden to seek farmer ‘input’ on climate policy, winning praise.” Tri-State Livestock News: 1/28/21.