Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) mission is to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. Although our organization is formed around hunting and fishing, our members are also avid hikers, backpackers, trail runners, mountain bikers, off-roaders, and so-on. Most importantly we seek to conserve our natural resources so that all pursuits can be enjoyed responsibly for many generations.1
“The time, talent and treasure you all give to this great organization are the rocks that secure our conservation legacy. None of it can be accomplished alone … Together we will carry the day.” -Land Tawney, BHA President and CEO2
Top Chapter Highlights (Q1)
-Colorado Public Lands Day is May 20, 2023. Our Gunnison Chapter Leadership team is organizing a fence removal project and more. Join us for the Barbs, Beers and Bands celebration in Gunnison.
-Our 14th Annual CO BHA Rendezvous will be held June 9-11, 2023, at the Soap Creek Corral/Coal Mesa Horse Camp west of Gunnison.
-The BHA Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) has a Colorado Club. Check out their Instagram page @colorado_bha_afi.
“Our most important asset is our volunteers.”
Chapter News
Chapter Leadership Team Updates
(48 Chapter Leadership Team Members/46 Habitat Watch Volunteers)
We currently have eleven (11) Colorado BHA Groups: Northern Colorado, Boulder County, Denver Metro Area, Southeast Colorado, Central Rockies, Roaring Fork/Eagle Valleys, Routt County, Gunnison Valley/County, Southwest Colorado, Central West Slope, Grand Valley/Mesa County. For additional information see: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/group_leaders
-We have Habitat Watch Volunteers (HWVs) who serve as our “eyes and ears” in all eleven Colorado national forests. Contact HWV Program Coordinator/Co-Chair Don Holmstrom ([email protected]) for additional information. See the links/information below for more information about our CLTs/HWVs and other members.
-Colorado BHA Habitat Watch Volunteer (HWV) program information.
BHA staffers based in Colorado include: Brien (“Army of One”) Webster (Program Manager and Colorado and Wyoming Chapter Coordinator); Tim Brass (State Policy and Field Operations Director); John Gale (Conservation Director); and Brittany Parker (Habitat Stewardship Coordinator).
-“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.
David “Elkheart” Petersen (a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot) started the first BHA state chapter in Colorado. David is also one of North America’s most renowned hunting ethicists and trad bow elk hunters and his writings (in part) inspired Mike Beagle to start BHA. A documentary film, “On the Wild Edge: Hunting for A Natural Life,” about his life and love of hunting and all things wild is now available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-IE58L4bqEA. Also see: https://davidpetersenbooks.com/
-“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.” –David “Elkheart” Petersen, Colorado BHA founder/former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot
Chapter Communications Update-Derek Pankratz & Scott Heatwole
-Communications Co-Chair Derek Pankratz is our primary contact for Colorado BHA Newsletter input/content.
-If you have an event you’d like to promote on social media, reach out to Communications Co-Chair Scott Heatwole and include a caption and image so he can post on Instagram.
-As you’ve likely surmised, Scott is handling social media and Derek will be generating the chapter newsletter and assisting with other long-form content. Let them know (contact info. below) if you are interested in assisting/contributing in any way.
-“Winter Newsletter (Colorado BHA).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/23/22.
-“Colorado BHA Fall Newsletter 2022.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/1/22.
-“CO BHA Summer (2022) Newsletter.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/13/22.
-CO BHA Communications Co-Chair (Scott Heatwole, Castle Rock): [email protected]
-CO BHA Communications Co-Chair (Derek Pankratz, Gunnison): [email protected]
-Thomas Plank. “Save The Date For Rendezvous 2023.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/16/22. (Rendezvous 2023 - taking place in Missoula, Montana, March 15-18).
-Colorado Public Lands Day is May 20, 2023. Our Gunnison Chapter Leadership team is organizing a fence removal project and more. Join us for the “Barbs, Beers and Bands” celebration in Gunnison. More information to follow.
-2023 Colorado BHA Rendezvous: June 9-11 @ Soap Creek Corral/Coal Mesa Horse Camp west of Gunnison. More information to follow.
-All Things Colorado BHA: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/colorado
-Upcoming CO BHA Events: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/co_upcoming_events
Monthly Pint Nights-Northern Colorado Group
The Northern Colorado Group (Zack Scott, Fort Collins; Jon Lang, Fort Collins; Trenton Budish, Loveland; Graham Geary, Fort Collins) is spearheading a monthly Group meetups/pint nights (@ Grimm Brothers Brewhouse in Loveland) model to facilitate local members getting together more regularly, offering consistent updates regarding work they’re planning, sourcing ideas about projects members are passionate about and helping to connect like-minded folks. Graham Geary ([email protected]) is the point of contact the Northern Group meetups (also see links below for details on the three upcoming meetups):
-Kate Mayfield. “Conservation Roundtable and Community Update 2-3-23.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/20/23.
-Kate Mayfield. “Conservation Roundtable and Community Update 3-2-23.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/20/23.
-Kate Mayfield. “Conservation Roundtable and Community Update 4-6-23.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/20/23.
BHA Collegiate Program-Colorado State University (CSU) Fort Collins
Colorado has a BHA Collegiate Club at CSU in Fort Collins. Contact CSU Club leaders at: [email protected]. For additional information on the BHA Collegiate Club Program visit the webpage or Instagram page.
-BHA (12/12/22). “In case you missed it, BHA hosted three brand new Hunting for Sustainability workshops through our college clubs this spring. This fall, we continued our efforts in Colorado, Montana, and Arizona. In total, 34 students and adult-onset hunters participated in our workshops and we sent each one home with an annual BHA membership to continue immersing them in our community and advocacy efforts.”
-Kylie Schumacher. “Hunting for Sustainability Continues in Colorado, Montana, and Arizona.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/7/22.
-“Explore Hunting Workshops.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/22/22.
Armed Forces Initiative-Colorado
-The BHA Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) has a Colorado Club. Check out their Instagram page @colorado_bha_afi.
-Thomas Plank. “AFI Storytelling Rendezvous 2022.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/5/23.
-Trevor Hubbs. “AFI Podcast Tour.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/31/22.
-AFI’s Trevor Hubbs on the Modern Carnivore Podcast (Outdoor Feast Podcast EP:029): 10/12/22.
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (9/26/22). “Why BHA? [Colonel] Mike Abell.”
-“Armed Forces Initiative Helps Veterans Hunt … And More.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/17/22.
-In the Winter 2023 Backcountry Journal Major Jake Lunsford (U.S. Marine Corps) asks: “How does one field dress, with words, the complexities of war, guilt and responsibility? How can you give a voice to that which drives men to seek shelter in the wilderness? What spell must be spoken to dislodge what lurks in the unswept corners of the mind?”3
-Major Jake Lunsford (USMC). “All the Right Words.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/18/23.
-Hunting, fishing and the outdoors in general can serve to help restore the soul and psyche of those who have been battered by the horrors of war.4 Which is why, in part, BHA started its Armed Forces Initiative (AFI). “AFI resonates with the veteran and military community because it provides a sense of purpose,” Ryan Burkert, former AFI Program Lead said. “Our goal is to give veterans and service members a new mission, and that mission is conservation.”5
-“BHA Members Serve Their Country: 20% of BHA Members Are Active Duty Military or Veterans. More Than Twice The U.S. Average.”6
-U.S. Department of Interior. “New Lifetime Pass Available for Military Veterans and Gold Star Families to Access Public Lands: Pass Provides Free Entrance to National Parks, Wildlife Refuges and Other Public Lands.” Press Release: 11/8/22.
-USGS Store: America the Beautiful-National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Military Pass.
-BHA’s Armed Forces Initiative. “Armed Forces Initiative-Get Involved.”
-Become An AFI Volunteer; Armed Forces Initiative Leadership.
-Contact Armed Forces Initiative Coordinator Trevor Hubbs at: [email protected].
Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument/CORE Act
-“Policy Updates: Administrative Protections of Colorado’s Public Lands [Camp Hale/CORE Act].” Backcountry Beat: October 2022.
-“Camp Hale National Monument A Win For Veterans (& Hunters).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/28/22.
-Tennessee Pass 10th Mountain Division Memorial photos (8/19/22).
-Colorado Snow Sports Museum & Hall of Fame (photos, includes 10th Mt. Div.) in Vail (8/20/22).
-“National Monuments Report.” Backcountry Hunters & Angers: 2/19/16.
Corner Crossing/Corner-Locked Public Lands
-“There are 101,000 acres of public land in Colorado considered corner locked, according to a new report on access to public lands published by onX … About 15% of that land is corner-locked behind 489 property corners, which are shared with 527 unique landowners, onX said.”7
-“A parcel of public land is considered corner locked when it is surrounded by private land but touches another parcel of public land at one or more corners.”8
-“The issue with this type of public land is that accessing it falls into a legal gray area, with no laws expressly forbidding or permitting corner crossings … This issue recently came to fruition in Wyoming last October, when four hunters were charged with criminal trespass after corner crossing public land in Carbon County, Wyoming.”9
-“While state governments in the West have proposed bills both permitting and banning corner-crossing, none have made it into law.”10
-“Not only are those lands important to backcountry enthusiasts but also to Colorado’s expanding outdoor industry and population growth, said Brien Webster, coordinator for the Colorado and Wyoming chapters of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. ‘Public lands are there for you,’ he said. ‘They belong to you. It’s one of the most democratic things we got in in this country.’”11
-“HB 1066-Public Access Landlocked Publicly Owned Land (Colorado).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/23/23.
-Ben Ryder Howe. “It’s Public Land. But the Public Can’t Reach It.” The New York Times: 11/26/22.
-Amy Golden. “Report: 101,000 acres of Colorado public land are corner-locked: Study by onX looks at public access in legal gray area.” Longmont Leader: 5/24/22.
Thompson Divide
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has been working for years to secure greater certainty for Colorado’s Thompson Divide and the quality hunting and fishing experiences it provides. Now we need your help to secure a 20-year mineral withdrawal that will provide more time to secure permanent protection through the CORE Act. This area is home to more than 34,000 acres of prime elk habitat and supports more than 1,500 miles of stream including 83 miles of native cutthroat habitat.
-Thomas Plank. “Protect Colorado’s Thompson Divide.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/7/22.
Public Lands Transfers/Sales
-“In an April 2017 Greeley Tribune op-ed, I quoted Petersen’s Hunting editor in chief, Mike Schoby, who said: ‘The real reason politicians lobby to get their hands on federal lands is not to better manage it for hunters (don’t kid yourself: your hunting opportunities are not even on their radar), but to rape and pillage it before selling it off to wealthy corporations that donate heavily to their campaigns.’ For the most part, these efforts have been thwarted, but bad ideas never die.”12
-“On Jan. 3, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives convened the 118th Congress … The House’s first order of business was to determine a new rules package … One item … BHA strongly opposed … that threatens the integrity of our public estate–lands and waters enjoyed by 70 million hunters and anglers as well as many other outdoor enthusiasts–and we fought to exclude it the final rules package. It’s worth noting that similar language in the House rules package for the 115th Congress was followed by legislative proposals to eliminate federal public lands–efforts that were ultimately abandoned by their proponents after facing tremendous public backlash, including from BHA.”13
-“Selling off our public lands is a bad idea that won’t die.” VailDaily: 1/29/23.
-“Fighting to keep public lands in public hands.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 1/26/23.
-“Bad ideas never die.” Aspen Daily News: 1/25/23.
-Jacob Faschler. “House GOP Would Make It Easier for Feds to Give Public Lands Away to States: House Republicans had an identical rule when they controlled the chamber from 2017 to 2019.” Government Executive: 1/17/23.
-Kaden McArthur. “Welcome to the 118th Congress.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/13/23.
-Mike Ludwig. “House Republicans Just Made It Easier for Congress to Give Away Public Lands.” Truthout: 1/10/23.
-Lindsay Gressard. “Ranking Democrat Grijalva Blasts Republicans’ Proposed House Rules Changes and Bogus Accounting to Allow Public Land Giveaways.” Natural Resources Committee Ranking Democrat Raúl M. Grijalva: 1/6/23.
Leading on Lead/Getting The Lead Out
-Mike McTee. “Making the Switch: A Quick Guide to Going Non-Lead.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/7/22.
-Jan Dizard and Corey Ellis. “Leading On Lead.” Backcountry Journal: Winter 2020.
-“There is growing interest in non-lead ammunition, and many hunters are voluntarily switching to non-lead shot and bullets so that non-target species are not inadvertently harmed by feeding on animal remains.”14
-BHA North American Policy Statement: Use of Lead in Ammunition and Fishing Tackle.
-BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 62: Chris Parish and Leland Brown of the North American Non-Lead Partnership.
Fence Pulls/Removal
-Ty Woodward. “Big Springs Fence Pull and Replacement.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/15/22.
-Brittany Parker. “Dome Rock SWA Aspen Regeneration Project.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/12/22.
-“This year, our Colorado chapter has tackled one of the most labor-intensive tasks to address one of the most insidious threats: removing miles of old, unnecessary, dilapidated fencing. I remember seeing my first deer carcass hung up in a fence. It hurt to think about how it died. Once, I had to pick up a panicking fawn and throw it over a hog-wire fence so it could keep up with its mama. Every time I see old fencing removed, I imagine just how much happier those deer and all wildlife are as a result of our restoring their natural movement corridors.” -Ted Koch, BHA North American Board Chairman (12/13/22)15
OHV/Illegal Trails Reward Program/Initiative
Boulder County Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Kris Hess has been spearheading efforts to work with public lands (state and federal) agencies and other groups to address illegal trail building. BHA offers up to $500 in reward for reports or information leading to a conviction of illegal motorized/mechanized users. This reward program also applies to illegal e-bike use, illegal dumping, and illegal trail construction.
So why are illegal trails a problem now and why do they need more attention? The answer lies in the Colorado population of approximately 5.8 million (2021) which naturally creates a larger recreation user base. Today’s population is double the 2.9 million people in Colorado in 1980! More people, more recreation, and increased access to electronic maps and information (e.g., Strava, All Trails, CalTopo) that help people find new trails.16
Illegal trails are created by all user groups. However, in many areas mountain bike specific trail building dominates. Although the emphasis on the mountain biking community creates tension amongst user groups, BHA sees the involvement of the organized mountain bike community in addressing illegal trails as one of the most important steps forward. See the resources/links below for additional information.17
-Thomas Plank. “Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Rewards OHV Enforcement Near Hesperus, CO.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/16/22.
-David DeMille. “Utah wildlife officials crack down on e-bike use after reported habitat damage.” St. George (Utah) Spectrum & Daily News: 11/13/22.
-Eli Francovich. “UW study finds wild animals are more sensitive to human presence than previously thought, raising questions about local trail management.” The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.): 10/30/22.
-Alayna Alverez. “Colorado's outdoor recreation boom endangers elk herds.” Axios Denver: 10/6/22.
-“Trails vs. Elk: ‘They’re Just Dying Off.’” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/3/21.
-“Colorado BHA Report: Impacts of Off-Road Recreation on Public Lands Habitat.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/21/18.
-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
Stream Access Initiative (SAI), Fly Fishing & Clean Water
In early 2022, the Colorado Court of Appeals decision in Hill v. Warsewa delivered a stinging rebuke to powerful interests and the State Attorney General by paving the way for public access to Colorado streams flowing through private land that were navigable at the time of statehood. Now that decision is headed to the Colorado Supreme Court. A win in the appeal would allow Mr. Hill to go back to a trial court to establish navigability and consequently the ownership of the streambed by Colorado.
The Colorado Chapter of BHA has taken action to support the Public Waters Access Campaign and the Hill’s legal fight from early in the litigation. A large part of Colorado’s outdoor economy depends on recreation related to public waters. Expanding access creates significant economic opportunities. Improved access to public waters also is one of the best outdoor pathways for communities where recreational opportunities historically have been challenging.
Chapter Co-Chair Don Holmstrom has long been engaged on our stream access initiative (SAI) and is tracking an important court case here in Colorado (Hill v. Warsewa) that could set positive precedent for stream access through the navigability for title doctrine. Unfortunately, Colorado has some of the worst stream access laws in the nation on the books.
Don is also a BHA life member and coordinates the Habitat Watch Volunteer program. Don has had a career as a lawyer and technical advisor related to chemical safety and environmental issues. He retired from the US Chemical Safety Board as the Director of the Western Regional Office in Denver. Floating and fishing Colorado streams since the 1970s, Don has been a longtime advocate for stream access and habitat protection issues.
-Seek Outside Podcast Ep. 99: Why Are Colorado’s Water Laws So Confusing with Don Holmstrom.
-Katie McKalip. “EPA Takes Action to Conserve Clean Water, Wetlands, Healthy Habitat.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/5/23.
-Alex Funk. “EPA Restores Clean Water Act Protections for Streams and Wetlands.” TRCP: 1/4/23.
-“Stream Access Case In Colorado Will Move Forward.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/28/22.
Colorado Tag Allocations
This issue of resident vs. nonresident (and landowner) elk (and other) tag allocations has been a controversial issue in multiple Western states over the years, including Colorado. Given our state’s generous (compared to every other western state) non-resident tag distribution we get BHA member inquiries from across the country asking for Colorado elk hunting advice.
Unfortunately, elk numbers are alarmingly low in some areas and there have been multiple seasons when I haven’t seen a single elk.18 Perhaps it’s because everyone in Colorado seems to play on public lands, not to mention the unlimited tags sold to both resident and nonresident hunters in OTC units.19
-“Colorado Over-The-Counter (OTC) Unit Elk Hunting: Problems & Possibilities.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/14/22.
-“Colorado Over The Counter (OTC) Unit Elk Hunting.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/14/22.
-Dennis Webb. “Hunting for a solution: CPW looks for balance in allocating in-state, out-of-state licenses.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 11/14/22.
-Brien Webster. “CO BHA Comments on Potential (Tag) Allocation Changes.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/7/22.
-Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). “License Distribution Problem Statements and Alternatives.” CPW: 8/25/22.
-“Colorado BHA Tag Allocation Observations & Information.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/20/22.
Trails/State Grant Program
Colorado BHA Central West Slope Regional Director Craig Grother has been one of our chapter’s staunchest advocates for much needed reforms to the state’s Non-Motorized Recreational Trail Grant Application Process and for protecting wildlands and wildlife from the proliferation of motorized and mechanized trails.20
-Please reach out to the Colorado Chapter at [email protected] if there are trails proposals in your area that may have negative wildlife impacts.
-Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “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). The Guide recommends limiting trail densities to less than 1 linear mile of trail per square mile in mapped bighorn sheep, elk, and mule deer winter concentration areas and production areas. A 300-foot buffer for wetlands is widely accepted.
-Liz Rose. “40% of Most Important Colorado Elk Habitat Is Affected by Trail Use.” Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP): 9/27/22.
-Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP). “Outdoor Recreation and Elk: A Colorado Case Study: Where do elk habitat and recreational trails overlap in Colorado, and why does it matter?” TRCP: 9/27/22.
BHA 2023 North American Rendezvous
-March 15-18, 2023–BHA Rendezvous in Missoula (RSVP now!).
-Thomas Plank. “Save The Date For Rendezvous 2023.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/16/22. Rendezvous 2023 - taking place in Missoula, Montana, March 15-18.
CPW Commission Engagement
-CPW Commission meetings/information: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/pages/commission.aspx
What Has BHA/CO BHA Done For Me?
-“Colorado BHA Q4 2022 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/28/22.
-“Colorado BHA Q3 2022 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/25/22.
-“CO BHA Summer Newsletter.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/13/22.
-“CO BHA Q2 2022 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/1/22.
-“Colorado BHA Q1 2022 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/14/22.
-“Colorado BHA Q4 2021 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/4/21.
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers 2021 Mid-Year (January-June) Report.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/4/21.
-“Colorado BHA Q3 2021 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/2/21.
-“Colorado BHA Q2 2021 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/19/21.
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers End of Year Report: June-December 2020.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/8/21.
-“Winter 2021 [Q1] Colorado Chapter News.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/28/21.
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Mid-Year Report/Update: June 2020.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/20/20.
-“Spring 2020 Colorado Chapter News.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/1/20.
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers End of Year Report.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/15/20.
2022 Events/Projects (Completed)
As detailed below, the Colorado BHA chapter completed/hosted over 50 events/activities (see below) during 2022, which is reflective of the selflessness and dedication of our chapter leaders and many other BHA volunteers across Colorado!
-Wild game potluck. (on Jan. 27) at Gemini Beer Company in Grand Junction.
-Ann Wright. “Well plated: Warm yourself with local, gourmet food.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 1/7/22 (scroll down).
-Brien Webster. “McInnis NCA Fence Removal (Feb. 26) Project.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/25/22.
-Backcountry on Ice: Ice Fishing (Saturday, Mar. 5).
-“‘Backcountry On Ice’ Fishing Event A Big Hit.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/7/22.
-Denver area BHAers Pint Night (on Mar. 10) at Locavore Beer Works in Littleton.
-Denver International Sportsmen’s Expo (March 23-27) Volunteer Signup.
-“Introduction to Bowhunting.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (on Saturday, Mar. 26, in Carbondale, Colorado).
-Pint Night on April 7 at Maxline Brewing in Fort Collins.
-Colorado Fly Girls: Women in the Woods event (April 9) by Amber Leach and Chyanne Davis.
-Sportsmen’s Day at the State Capitol (April 21).
-Southeast Colorado Group pint night in Colorado Springs at Phantom Canyon Brewing Company (April 27).
-Fly tying at Upslope Brewery in Boulder (flatiron location) on May 10.
-BHA Bows & Brews. Join BHA’s Central Rockies Chapter and C&K Archery in Frisco (May 12 for an evening to discuss BHA and all-things archery.
-“Southwest Colorado BHA Planning Session (May 24, Durango).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/4/22.
-McInnis National Conservation Area fence removal (May 26).
-Denver Pint Night (on May 26) at Diebolt Brewing Company.
-On June 1, 25 volunteers including local staff from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and members of BHA worked together to improve wildlife habitat on the Almont Triangle between Gunnison and Crested Butte.
-John Chandler. “CO BHA chapter Leaders Spearhead Fence Removal Efforts in Gunnison.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/3/22.
-Northern Colorado BHA Group trash cleanup day at Smith Lake and Wellington State Wildlife Areas (on June 4).
-Platte River Cleanup w/Denver Parks and Recreation (June 5).
-Colorado BHA 13th Annual Rendezvous: June 10-12.
-Bill Dombroski. “Hike To Fish.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/16/22.
-Women in the Woods – Rifle Sight-in, Brighton, CO (June 25).
-Buffalo Creek Guzzler Project: Pine, CO (June 25).
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Gunnison Wildlife Association, and West Elk Archers worked jointly (6/28/22) on a Wet Meadow Restoration Project.
-John Chandler. “Wet Meadows Restoration (6/28/22).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/15/22.
-Buffalo Creek Guzzler Project: July 9.
-Roan Plateau Stewardship Project, Rifle, CO (July 9-10).
-Glenwood Springs Pint Night: July 12.
-Brien Webster. “CO BHA Wildlife Guzzler Project.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/15/22.
-Women in the Woods Shotgun Skills Clinic (Brighton): July 16.
-Join us for an overnight backpacking trip on the Cimarron Trail in the Uncompahgre National Forest (July 30-31).
-“Southwest Colorado Pint Night (8/3/22).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/29/22.
-Craig Grother. “Thanks to Our Members For Giving Back to Our Public Lands (Dan Noble SWA Project).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/19/22.
-Chicken Park Fence Removal (August 20): Lost Lake Camping Area in Red Feather Lakes.
-“Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Fly Fishing 101.” The Aspen Times: 8/27/22.
-Wild Game Potluck-Großen Bart Brewery (August 24: Longmont).
-Pint Night-Bent Barley Brewing (August 25: Aurora).
-Lincoln Mountain Open Space Fence Removal (August 27: Larkspur).
-Wild Game Processing Workshop-Farm Collaborative at Cozy Point Ranch (August 27: Aspen).
-Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area Fence Removal (August 27-28): Meeker.
-Brittany Parker. “CO BHA Oak Ridge SWA Fence Removal Project.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/8/22.
-Trevor Hubbs. “AFI Colorado Bear (Sept. 2-7).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/7/22.
-Meeker Public Lands Day Project (September 24-25): Fence Removal at Rio Blanco Lake State Wildlife Area in Meeker. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/meeker_fence_removal
-Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beer Pint Night (in Paonia) Presented By onX Hunt (Sept. 29).
-Brittany Parker. “Public Lands Day Stewardship Recap in Colorado.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/29/22.
-Brittany Parker. “Dome Rock SWA Aspen Regeneration Project.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/12/22.
-Grand Valley Beast Feast at Copper Club Brewing Company on THURSDAY, Oct. 27, AT 5:30 PM.
-“Hunting for Sustainability: Learn To Hunt Big Game [Nov. 8-10: Hotchkiss, CO].” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/13/22.
-Big Springs Fence Project (Colorado Parks and Wildlife-Colorado Springs office): SATURDAY, Nov. 12, AT 7 AM
-Trevor Hubbs. “BHA Armed Forces Camp Colorado 3rd Rifle-Veterans Day Elk Camp (Nov. 11-18).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/7/22.
-Brittany Parker. “Brush Creek Open Space Fence Removal. [Nov. 12 in Eagle County].” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/20/22.
-Women in the Woods Elk Camp 2022 (Dec 2 – Dec 4, 2022):
-If you’re in the Longmont area on Tuesday, Dec. 6th, please join your local CO BHA Chapter Leaders for some great brews and a chance to win a Titan Truck Tent.
2023 Events (Upcoming)
-See Chapter Events page.
-Colorado Public Lands Day is May 20, 2023. Our Gunnison Chapter Leadership team is organizing a fence removal project and more. Join us for the “Barbs, Beers and Bands” celebration in Gunnison. More information to follow.
-2023 Colorado BHA Rendezvous: June 9-11, 2023, @ Soap Creek Corral/Coal Mesa Horse Camp west of Gunnison. More information to follow.
Other Information
-Check out BHA’s North American Action Map, tracking/highlighting examples of our accomplishments as an organization across the continent.
-See our Take Action Center to stay engaged on legislation in your area.
-Gift a BHA membership
-Auto-Renewal of Membership Option Now Live on the BHA Website.
-Landing Page to Track Chapter-Generated Memberships. To better track memberships renewed or recruited by chapters, we’ve developed a new landing page: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/chaptermemberships
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.
About Colorado BHA