“If you want to hunt, first you have to have animals to hunt. And if you want animals,
first they’ve got to have habitat to live in. So, if you’re not trying to protect habitat and
improve it and increase it, then you’re working against yourself as a hunter.”
-Colorado BHA Founder David “Elkheart” Petersen[1]
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.”
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, and so-on. Most importantly we seek to conserve our natural resources so that all pursuits can be enjoyed responsibly for many generations.[2]
“There’s no other organization like Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Need proof? Take a look at the highlights from the 2023 member survey,” Colorado BHA Communications Co-Chair Derek Pankratz explained. “What other group boasts a membership that relies on public land 90% of their time afield; eats wild game weekly (50%); is mostly younger (76% under age 54); and–perhaps most amazing in this polarized age–is nearly evenly split across partisan affiliations? That unique mix of members, all fueled by a dedication to public lands, waters, and wildlife, is BHA’s superpower.”[3]
“Importantly, we will remain the most diverse hunting and fishing organization in North America. We are famously evenly split politically, and we’re younger and more diverse than any other organization in our space. We’re even more diverse in our mission compared to other organizations that focus on a single species or just hunting and fishing. We’re unique and strong because we have chapters in both the U.S. and Canada. We are special in many ways. BHA in its third decade will be an even stronger force on behalf of conservation.” -Ted Koch, BHA North American Board Chair[4]
-“There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.” -General Jimmy Doolittle
-“Our most important asset is our volunteers.”
-Ben Long’s Hunter & Angler Field Guide to Raising Hell: https://www.scottpublishingcompany.com/fieldguide
-“A Hunter-Angler (Hell-Raisin’ & Habitat Savin’) Guide To Winning: Colorado BHA Examples (Browns Canyon & Camp Hale).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/23/23.
-“For those who answer the call to speak for those who cannot, this book is for you! Wild public lands, waters and wildlife need your voice and this book, this grassroots bible, will help you engage.” -Land Tawney, former BHA President and CEO (4/3/23)
-David “Elkheart” Petersen (founder of the first BHA state chapter, here in Colorado, and a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot) books. Also see this Elkheart documentary, “On the Wild Edge,” at: https://youtu.be/-IE58L4bqEA
-“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
BHA Issues Triad (PAF)[5]
- Public Lands & Waters (Public Lands = Freedom). Our public lands make each of us land-rich. Protecting and perpetuating public lands and waters is paramount. “Public lands personify this idea we call America—which is freedom. The human animal—the human spirit—is not intended to be confined to a cage.”[6] We are, “The voice for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.” Former BHA Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) Coordinator Trevor Hubbs adds, “The BHA mission is all of ours.”[7] And as explained by BHA Podcast & Blast host Hal Herring, “The future of the American public lands is as important to our nation as the Bill of Rights or the Constitution itself.”[8]
- Access & Opportunity. We are intent on keeping public lands in public hands.[9] “Working every day to make sure you have access to public lands and waters and the quality fish and wildlife habitat when you get there.”[10] Access has emerged as a priority issue for North American hunters and anglers, and lack of access is cited by sportsmen and women as the No. 1 reason why we stop pursuing our passions. Access to the more than 600 million acres of public land is part of being American. However, opportunity is diminished when “access becomes excess.”[11]
- Fair Chase & Restraint. “We must ensure that the ethical pursuit of fish and game is upheld as dearly as our own obligation to morality and citizenship,” BHA explains in its fair chase statement.[12] As Jim Posewitz wrote in Beyond Fair Chase, “The ethics of hunting deteriorate as machinery and modern technology are substituted for hunter stamina, skill, knowledge, and patience.”[13] Conservation derives from the Latin conservare, meaning “to keep guard.”[14] As America’s first conservationists, hunters have a century-old tradition of protecting habitat and policing our own ranks.[15]
Top Chapter Highlights (Q3)
-Jerod Swanson accepted a Central Rockies Assistant Regional Director Position.
-Jarret Childers accepted a Southwest Colorado Assistant Regional Director Position.
-We joined our partners at Trout Unlimited in establishing Sportsmen for the Dolores, a coalition of hunters and anglers aimed at conserving fish and wildlife habitat, as well as sporting opportunities, in the Dolores River watershed of southwest Colorado.
-We supported the Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal, protecting the region from proposed oil and gas development.
Chapter News
What Has BHA/CO BHA Done For Me?
-“Colorado BHA Chapter Newsletter, Summer 2024.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/26/24.
-“CO BHA Chapter Newsletter Spring 2024.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/8/24.
-“CO BHA Winter Newsletter.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/21/23.
-“CO Chapter Newsletter Fall 2023.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/9/23.
“Colorado BHA Q2 2024 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/21/24.
-“Colorado BHA Q1 2024 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/16/24.
-“Colorado BHA Q4 2023 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/27/23.
-“Colorado BHA Q3 2023 Update.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/3/23.
-“Colorado BHA Rendezvous Roundup: San Isabel National Forest (June 21-23, 2024).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/22/4.
-“Hunting Colorado’s Mountain Merriam’s (With The Colonel & The Fox) and Struttin’ & Cluckin’ at Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/28/24.
-BHA Stewardship: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/stewardship
-BHA Top 10 Wins (2023). “Being Good Stewards of Our Public Lands, Waters, and Wildlife.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/5/23.
-Kaden McArthur. “Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Federal Policy Roundup 2023.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: December 2023.
-Zack Williams. “BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 173: BHA 2023 Policy Roundup with BHA Government Relations Manager Kaden McArthur.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/6/24.
-Kaden McArthur. “BHA’s 2024 Policy Priorities.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/24/24 (See p.19 for Colorado Priority Landscapes). https://www.backcountryhunters.org/bha_s_2024_policy_priorities
Chapter Leadership Team & Habitat Watch Volunteer Updates
(30-plus Chapter Leadership Team Members/40-plus Habitat Watch Volunteers)
We currently have eleven (10) Colorado BHA Groups (not all necessarily currently active): Northern Colorado, Boulder County, Denver Metro Area, Southeast Colorado, Central Rockies, 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. Also see the following link for more information: Colorado BHA Habitat Watch Volunteer (HWV) program information.
BHA/CO BHA Staff/Leaders
-“Colorado Habitat Stewardship Coordinator (Briant Wiles) Joins Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Team.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/22/24.
-“The Patron Saints of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/12/24.
Chapter Communications Update-Derek Pankratz & Scott Heatwole
-Communications Co-Chair Derek Pankratz ([email protected]) is our primary contact for Colorado BHA Newsletter input/content.
-If you have an event you’d like to promote on social media/Instagram, reach out to Communications Co-Chair Scott Heatwole (a U.S. Air Force veteran: [email protected]) and include a caption and image so he can post.
Events-Colorado BHA/AFI
-Upcoming CO BHA Events: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/co_upcoming_events
-Upcoming BHA Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) Events: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/events_afi
-All Things Colorado BHA: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/colorado
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.
Armed Forces Initiative (AFI)-Colorado
Colorado BHA Armed Forces Initiative Liaison: Matt Lee ([email protected]).
Colorado BHA Fort Carson AFI President: Jonathon Dotson ([email protected]).
-“The purpose of the Armed Forces Initiative is to create conservationists in the military community … awaken in them a passion for the freedom that public lands and waters can give to a person … we strive to give our participants a new mission of conservation.”[16]
-“… our small program has grown over the past three years from just 18 veterans in Montana to 14,000 members and clubs in 42 States and 26 Active-Duty instillations …”[17]
-“On the night in 2004 that Backcountry Hunters & Anglers came to life, at least two of the faces glowing orange and red in the flickering light of a campfire belonged to veterans of military service. Almost 20 years later, 20% of BHA’s members are active duty or veterans of military service, a rate more than twice that found amongst the remainder of our citizenry. It’s not a surprise people drawn to protect national security are also drawn to protect the lands held in common by all North Americans.” -Russell Worth Parker. Backcountry Journal: Fall 2023[18]
-“23% of our members are either active-duty military or veterans.”[19]
-Travis Bradford. “2023 BHA Membership Survey Results.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/29/23.
-Fort Carson Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) 3D Open at Cheyenne Mountain State Park Photos (8/10/24): https://photos.app.goo.gl/1PTPFuvnUThDcU3A6
-Trevor Hubbs. “AFI Receives Praise for Stewardship work in CO.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/24/24.
-“We introduced over 2,000 participants to the outdoors in over 140 events in 46 states!” -Dalton Wayne, BHA AFI Communications Director[20]
-Dalton Wayne Hoover. “AFI Q:1 Newsletter.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/12/24.
-Trevor Hubbs. “AFI Policy Updates for Q:1 2024.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/15/24.
-“Stalking Wildness: BHA’s Wilderness Warriors.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/13/24.
-Hal Herring. “Wilderness Warriors: Tales of Backcountry Hunting and Veteran Camaraderie.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Podcast & Blast Ep. 172: 12/25/23.
-Commanders Intent: Instill within the Military Community, a knowledge of conservation practices and theory, a love of wild places, and a desire to elevate Americas public wild lands as fundamental components of American Freedom.
-“Giving Veterans a New Mission in Conservation”
-“Public lands = Freedom”
-Become An AFI Volunteer; Armed Forces Initiative Leadership.
-BHA’s Armed Forces Initiative. “Armed Forces Initiative-Get Involved.”
BHA Podcast & Blast/Hal Herring
-“The future of the American public lands is as important to our nation as the Bill of Rights or the Constitution itself.” –Hal Herring, Field & Stream contributing editor, host of BHA’s Podcast & Blast and recipient of BHA’s 2016 Ted Trueblood Award[21]
-This is one of many excellent Hal Herring BHA Podcast & Blast episodes.
-“Douglas Brinkley is the preeminent scholar and writer on the history of America’s public lands and conservation movement. Among his seven bestselling books of history are Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America (2010) and Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Land of America (2016). His new book in this series, Silent Spring Revolution: John F. Kennedy, Rachel Carson, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and the Great Environmental Awakening, will be available before Dec. 1, 2022.”
-Travis Bradford. “BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 144: Author and Historian Douglas Brinkley.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/8/22.
(Updates Below Are Randomly Ordered)
Stream Access Initiative (SAI)/Clean Water
-“Colorado’s magnificent rivers and streams are a public trust to be enjoyed by all. Our message to state officials: let our people float and fish.” -Colorado BHA Chapter Co-Chair, Don Holmstrom[22]
-Bryan Jones. “The Fight for Stream Access: Hunters, Anglers, and Boaters Unite for Colorado’s Waters.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/6/24.
-Editorial Board. “Roger Hill’s ‘right to wade’ movement fights against false claims on publicly owned waterways.” The Denver Post: 9/5/24.
-“An 83-year-old Colorado fisherman has resurrected his 12-year fight for public freedom to wade in the state’s rivers, seeking arrest and risking conflicts with landowners by returning to a contested bend in the Arkansas River. Roger Hill … A retired physicist from Colorado Springs, Hill filed a lawsuit claiming a public right to wade on riverbeds …”[23]
-“… Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers co-chairman Don Holmstrom joined Hill in fishing along the Arkansas, where trappers and railroad companies in the 1870s used the river for the commercial purposes of transporting pelts and tens of thousands of railroad ties.”[24]
-“‘Roger Hill is a hero,’ said Holmstrom … The increasing buy-ups of riverside property in the West ‘makes it a fight for the public interest versus those wealthy landowners who are fighting against the public interest,’ he said. ‘These are public pathways throughout the state that people should be able to enjoy—to fish, float and run the whitewater.’”[25]
-Bruce Finley. “83-year-old Colorado fisherman is back, defiant, seeking arrest and support in fight for freedom to wade in state’s rivers: Roger Hill fighting for ‘right to wade’ in Colorado rivers.” The Denver Post: 9/2/24.
-“This is not the end but only the beginning of our efforts to secure those rights.” -Don Holmstrom, Colorado BHA Co-Chair
-“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” -Sir Winston Churchill, November 1942.
-“On May 29, 2024, in Silverthorne, Governor Polis officially signed into law HB 24-1379, making Colorado the first state to legislatively restore state protections to waters and wetlands that lost federal protection when the Supreme Court removed long-standing Clean Water Act jurisdiction from many wetlands and seasonal streams.”[26]
-Colorado Trout Unlimited (TU). “Governor Signs Law To Protect Colorado Waters.” Colorado TU: 6/11/24.
Project 2025/Public Lands Threats
Hunters and anglers across the U.S. should take note of the expansive list of threats to our public lands and waters contained within Project 2025, and join BHA in opposing each anti-conservation recommendation, including:[27]
-Dismantling the America the Beautiful initiative to conserve 30% of our lands and waters by 2030 and reviewing all resource management plans finalized in the previous four years to consider adopting less conservation-oriented alternatives.[28]
-Allowing state and local governments to block the acquisition of willingly sold private lands through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.[29]
-Reviewing national monument designations and seeking the repeal of the Antiquities Act.[30]
-Abandoning collaborative efforts led by the BLM to conserve greater sage-grouse habitat.[31]
-Attempting to reverse decisions that provide protections for the Thompson Divide in Colorado and the Boundary Waters in Minnesota.[32]
-Approving the Ambler Road, a private 211-mile corridor across the southern Brooks Range of Alaska.[33]
-Opening millions of acres to new development in the Western Arctic and weakening conservation regulations that will impact habitat for the rapidly declining Western Arctic and Teshekpuk caribou herds.[34]
-Revoking Alaska BLM Public Land Orders, opening 28 million acres of public lands to development that have remained in conservation status since 1971.[35]
-Reinstating the legally deficient Environmental Impact Statement for oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and reissuing leases.[36]
-Reinstating the Alaska Roadless Rule, which would, once again, remove protection for more than 9 million acres of the Tongass National Forest.[37]
-Kaden McArthur. “What Project 2025 Means for Public Lands and Waters.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/15/24.
-The Department of Interior section of Project 2025 starts on p. 517 and includes, for example, restoring mining claims and oil and gas leases in Colorado’s Thompson Divide (p. 523).[38]
-“Today, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) … announced full-page, print ads in Arizona, Oregon, California and Colorado, holding four members of Congress accountable for their vote to pass legislation that would cut funding for public land management and block numerous efforts to conserve fish and wildlife habitat.”[39]
-“In Colorado, a full-page ad will run in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, targeting Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-3).”[40]
-“As a community of conservation-minded hunters and anglers, we are fully committed to safeguarding our wild public lands and waters,” said Patrick Berry, President & CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “In addition to slashing funding for the management of public resources owned by all Americans, amendments to this legislation would block the conservation of the Owyhee Canyonlands in Oregon and the Dolores Canyons in Colorado, priority landscapes that nurture the backcountry experience cherished by the growing community of hunters and anglers.”[41]
-Thomas Plank. “BHA To Run Ads Urging CO, OR, CA & AZ Legislators To Protect Public Lands, Conservation Program.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/28/24.
-Patrick Berry. “Keep Public Land Out of Utah's Greedy Hands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/4/24.
-“Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) … vehemently opposes the recent legal maneuver by the state of Utah aimed at seizing control of 18.5 million acres of federal public lands.”[42]
-Thomas Plank. “Utah Attempts to Wrest Public Lands Out of Public Hands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/20/24.
-“We should remain cautious … of any sweeping legislative changes that seek to streamline the disposal of large tracts of public lands, says Kaden McArthur, the government relations manager for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.”[43]
-“‘BHA is concerned about the notion of large-scale transfers of public lands out of public hands, and this is something that we’ve seen in some form or another for a long time,’ McArthur tells Outdoor Life.”[44]
-“‘Our public lands are the lifeblood of folk that hunt and fish, and they allow us to enjoy the outdoors like nowhere else on Earth,’ McArthur says. ‘We want to see stringent guardrails on the ability to sell or divest these lands from the public.’”[45]
-Dac Collins. “Don’t Let Politicians Convince You That Selling Public Lands Is the Solution to America’s Housing Affordability Crisis.” Outdoor Life: 8/16/24.
“Unlike Europe and much of the world, America is blessed with millions of acres of public land that can be enjoyed by anyone … Perhaps those dopey ideologues, who favor selling our outdoor heritage to a privileged few, should sail back to England, fall to their knees and pledge allegiance to the king. Those of us who value freedom will continue to fight the treasonous notion of selling our American birthright to the highest bidder!” –Tom Sykes, Colorado BHA Habitat Watch Volunteer[46]
Fence Pulls/Virtual Fencing
-Craig Grother. “Success at Miramonte.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/13/24.
-Briant Wiles. “Fenced Out!-4 months of Colorado fence projects.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/22/24.
-“Draining the east slope of the Umcompahgre Plateau, Spring creek cuts an impressive gorge on its descent to the broad farming valley around Montrose Colorado. Livestock grazing has a long history on Forest Service (FS) lands along Spring Creek. With the grazing comes the fences and inevitable conflict with wildlife. So, on June 15th BHA habitat stewardship staff and volunteer leaders joined FS field staff to remove a section of fence on Spring Creek Rim.”[47]
-Brian Wiles. “Spring Creek Rim Fence Removal.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/1/24.
-Thomas Plank. “BHA Receives $313K for Virtual Fencing Stewardship Project in CO.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/24/24.
-Colorado BHA photos. Fence pulling (with Llama logistical support) at the Colorado Public Lands Day (CPLD) Bash (“Beer, Bands, and Barbed Wire Strands”) in Gunnison (5/18/24)
-“Briant Wiles recently joined the BHA team as Colorado Habitat Stewardship Coordinator. Briant was born and raised in Lander, Wyoming, and has a Bachelor of Business Administration & Outdoor Recreation and a Master of Environmental Management from Western Colorado University. Briant was also the president of his local Trout Unlimited chapter for many years and worked on improving irrigation infrastructure, fish habitat, and stream restoration. In his new role, Briant will be spearheading stewardship efforts across the state, including playing a major role in our Colorado Public Lands Day event in Gunnison in May (see details below).”[48]
-“It has been a busy couple of weeks for pulling fence in Colorado. BHA members have removed fence on the front range, northwest CO, and outside the towns of Durango and Gunnison. Together we have removed 6 miles of fence! And there is much more to come.” -Briant Wiles, Colorado Habitat Stewardship Coordinator (5/23/24)
-We had a great group at the Colorado BHA fence pull in the Meeker area (on May 4-5), not to mention 90 or so greater sage grouse :>) Thank you Briant Wiles (BHA Colorado Habitat Stewardship Coordinator) and Brian Holms (Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologist) for leading/coordinating this event!
-Colorado BHA (6/5/24). “Exciting news! Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has received a $313,200 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for wildlife and grasslands conservation in southern Colorado. BHA staff, land management agencies and ranchers will be utilizing virtual fencing, a new technology that helps move domestic livestock in efficient grazing patterns to improve habitat quality in essential forage areas. This project will span 10,774 acres and benefit elk, pronghorn, and greater sage-grouse. Alongside this virtual fencing project, this grant will continue to support the removal of obsolete fencing in Colorado.”
Backcountry Beat (July 2024) Excerpts:
-“If you’ve noticed that much of our stewardship work has been in western states, that's because BHA was awarded a $2.5 million grant from the Bureau of Land Management to fund such work. It’s helped cover costs associated with fence modification and removal, habitat improvement and hiring incredibly-motivated stewardship staff.”
-“Pronghorn, mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep will benefit from this elimination of barriers to their movement, from improving habitat connectivity on and around BLM lands. Sagebrush country and critical habitat supporting grouse populations also stand to gain from targeted fence removals, which will reduce fence-grouse collisions and predation perches for corvids and raptors.”
-Katie McKalip. “BHA Formalizes $2.5 Million Partnership Agreement with BLM to Elevate Habitat Stewardship.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/6/23.
Thompson Divide
-“Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal: A Win for All.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/22/24.
-Dennis Webb. “Haaland, Bennet celebrate protections on Thompson Divide with supporters.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 7/2/24.
-Kaden McArthur. “Federal Policy Update: April 2024: Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal Finalized in Colorado.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/1/24.
-“I’m for using our resources like natural gas, but sometimes the gas companies need to take no for an answer. This is one of those times. I’ve bowhunted this area several times over the years. It is one of the prettiest places in Colorado and I hope it stays that way.” -Edward Vance (4/3/24)
-Jay Chancellor. “Colorado’s Thompson Divide sees a mining development moratorium to the high praise of anglers.” Trout: 4/11/24.
-“Today’s decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to finalize a 20-year administrative mineral withdrawal for approximately 220,000 acres of the Thompson Divide along Colorado’s Western Slope was met with praise by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.”[49]
-“BHA has advocated both for the Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy (CORE) Act, which would implement a permanent withdrawal of the region, and has supported the initiation of the 20-year administrative withdrawal in October 2022.”[50]
-“‘For more than a decade, hunters and anglers in Colorado have sought to conserve the remarkable fish and wildlife habitat within the Thompson Divide, a region that encompasses 34,000 acres of critical migratory corridors for elk and the headwaters for 1,550 miles of streams home to native trout. We share our appreciation with the Department of Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture for their action to protect a total of more than 200,000 acres of public lands for the next twenty years,’ said David Lien, Co-Chair of the Colorado chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. ‘Only Congress can permanently protect this valuable landscape, and we continue to urge the passage of Sen. Bennet and Rep. Neguse’s CORE Act to do just that.’”[51]
-Thomas Plank. “Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal Benefits Public Lands, Waters, Wildlife.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/3/24.
-Chase Woodruff. “Colorado lawmakers applaud 20-year pause on Thompson Divide oil and gas drilling.” Colorado Newsline: 4/3/24.
-Jason Blevins. “Biden blocks mining on more than 221,000 acres of federal land in Colorado after decadeslong fight.” The Colorado Sun: 4/3/24.
-U.S. Department of the Interior. “Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Protections for Thompson Divide: Public lands in Colorado withdrawn from future mineral development to protect wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and outdoor recreation opportunities.” Press Release: 4/3/24.
-Chase Woodruff. “Draft federal decision would pause Thompson Divide oil and gas drilling for 20 years: Public comment invited on U.S. Forest Service plan.” Colorado Newsline: 1/2/24.
-Jason Blevins. “Forest Service, BLM offer plan to block mining, oil and gas drilling on 225,000 acres in Thompson Divide: The federal land managers said a majority of the 60,000 comments they have collected support the withdrawal of extractive leases from the Thompson Divide south of Glenwood Springs.” The Colorado Sun: 12/12/23.
Wildlife Crossings
-Thomas Plank. “Legislation Introduced to Build on Migration Corridor Conservation.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/24/24.
-Piper Russell. “First wildlife crossing opens along I-70 Mountain Corridor.” OutThereColorado: 6/22/24.
-Carly Moore. “First major wildlife crossing along I-70 to be unveiled Thursday.” KDVR: 6/20/24.
-“Colorado was the recent recipient of major federal grants aimed at creating safe passage for wildlife and increasing driver safety. Funding includes $22 million to create a wildlife overpass along I-25 between Denver and Colorado Springs, as well as additional funding for other efforts across the state. The money was made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Existing Colorado legislation that created a cash fund for the Colorado Department of Transportation to fund safe road crossing and connectivity projects and that provides for their ongoing maintenance helped put the state in a strong position to be awarded the federal grants. Colorado BHA’s Jim McGannon serves as liaison to the Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance, a multi-stakeholder group spearheading efforts to reduce transportation impacts on wildlife.”[52]
-U.S. Senator Michael Bennett. “Bennet, Hickenlooper, Polis Welcome Over $88 Million in Federal Transportation Grants for Colorado Projects.” Press Release: 1/24/24.
-Also see: Colorado Wildlife & Transportation Alliance: https://www.coloradowta.com/mission-and-vision/
-The Wildlife and Transportation Alliance is a statewide partnership between the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), federal, tribal, academic, nonprofit, biologist, and engineering partners. Its vision is to fully integrate wildlife movements into Colorado’s transportation system. Colorado BHA brings an important voice for wildlife to this effort as it prioritizes projects.
-Wintering Wildlife Conservation Initiative (WWCI) link shared by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW): https://www.winteringwildlife.org/
North American Model of Wildlife Management
-“About the only predators I begrudge are the ones that walk on two feet and are motivated by greed, rather than hunger…” –Shawn Perich, Outdoor News (5/11/18)[53]
-Jason Blevins. “Mountain lion hunting ban heads to Colorado voters in November.” The Colorado Sun: 8/2/24.
-Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). “Bobcats, Mountain Lions and Lynx: Frequently Asked Questions on the Management of Colorado’s Wild Feline Population.” CPW: January 2024. https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Education/LivingWithWildlife/Bobcat-Lion-Lynx-Management-FAQ.pdf
-Hunting Mountain Lion: https://cpw.state.co.us/hunting/mountain-lion
-Mountain Lion-Conservation and Management: https://cpw.state.co.us/hunting/mountain-lion/conservation-and-management
-Colorado Parks and Wildlife (1/25/24). “Colorado Parks and Wildlife | Mountain Lion Management Update.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP01E9qO2MU
-Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). “East Slope Mountain Lion Management Plan.” Colorado Outdoors: 2/28/24. https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2024/02/28/colorado-mountain-lion-management/
Illegal OHV Use
-Bryan Jones. “BHA Illegal OHV Use Reward: How Two Brothers Helped Protect Colorado's Public Lands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/24/24.
-“Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has long championed efforts to curtail illegal OHV use on public lands, which can significantly impact wildlife and habitat. Through the OHV Reward Fund, individuals who report illegal OHV use are eligible for monetary incentives; those rewards are doubled in Colorado thanks to matching funds from the state chapter.”[54]
-“Brothers Brad and Brian Phillips were recent reward recipients after they reported a vehicle driving on a route closed to motorized vehicles in the Gunnison National Forest. Thanks to their diligence, US Forest Service law enforcement was able to contact the offending vehicle and issue a citation for the violation. You can read the full story of the Phillips brothers’ efforts here. You can learn more about BHA’s illegal OHV use reward program, including how to submit for a reward, here.”[55]
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Increase Reward For Illegal Trail Construction (Help Stop Trail Building ‘Free-For-All’).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/10/23.
-Kris Hess/Brien Webster. “CO BHA Publishes Memo on Illegal Trails.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/24/22.
-Walker Conyngham. “Colorado Hunter Reports Illegal OHV Use, Forges Reward.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/23/20.
-“CO BHA Member Reports Illegal OHV Use.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/10/19.
-Will Shoemaker. “Colorado BHA Member Reports Illegal OHV Use, Returns Reward.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/9/20.
Trails vs. Elk
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (6/14/24). “20 years of BHA—a look back: How do ‘non-consumptive’ users impact a landscape? ‘It’s not like these elk walked up and over another hill to another unit,’ says Andree. ‘They just don’t exist anymore. They’re dead.’ In the winter 2021 issue of BHA’s quarterly magazine, Backcountry Journal, award-winning journalist Christine Peterson looks at how increased recreational use has and is impacting wildlife including elk around Vail, Colorado.” Read the whole story here.
-“Proposed Jackson Mountain (CO) Mountain Bike Trail System Withdrawn.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/12/23.
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Increase Reward For Illegal Trail Construction (Help Stop Trail Building ‘Free-For-All’).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/10/23.
-“Trails vs. Elk: ‘They’re Just Dying Off.’” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/3/21.
-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
-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.
-“… the vast majority of us aren’t advocating for our desire to hunt, we are advocating for the protection of wildlife and their habitat,” explained Colorado BHA Board member Kassi Smith. “How can we compromise those protections? If the question of conservation was put back on us in the form of, ‘well, in order to protect the longevity of this species, you must give up hunting them or accessing their habitat,’ the majority of us would make that decision without hesitation.”
Energy Development/RAWA
-Thomas Plank. “New BLM Solar Plans Seek to Balance Conservation and Renewable Energy Goals.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/30/24.
-Devin O’Dea. “BHA Opposes Solar Development in Priority Habitat, Migration Corridors, and Popular Public Land Hunting Grounds.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/26/24.
-Sage Marshall. “BLM Plans to Open Millions of Acres for Solar Projects on Public Lands in the West: The Bureau of Land Management is considering a massive increase in solar development in 5 new Western States. How will it impact wildlife?” Field & Stream: 1/26/24.
-Thomas Plank. “New Federal Legislation to Benefit Habitat, Falls Short of RAWA.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/29/24.
CO-OP Regional Partnerships
-Consider serving on one of the CO-OP Regional Partnerships (there are eighteen Partnerships throughout the state, as of March 2024): https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Regional-Partnerships-Initiative.aspx
--Map of Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships:
--Central West Slope Regional Director Craig Grother ([email protected]) and Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Lew French ([email protected]) serve on the Ouray Regional Recreation and Conservation Alliance (ORRCA) Regional Partnership (#7 on map).
--Central West Slope ARD Lew French, and former CLT member John Howard serve on the new West Slope Outdoors Alliance Regional Partnership (#16 on map).
--Southwest Colorado Assistant Regional Director Luke Kline ([email protected]) serves on the Southwest Colorado Conservation & Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Regional Partnership (#14 on map).
-Habitat Watch Volunteer Janet George ([email protected]) serves on the Outside 285 (#9 on map) and NoCo PLACES 2050 (#6 on map) Regional Partnerships.
--BHA Habitat Stewardship Coordinator Brittany “Britt” Parker ([email protected]) serves on the Eagle County Community Wildlife Roundtable (#2 on map).
Dolores River Canyons National Monument/National Conservation Area (NCA)
-“Hunters And Anglers Call For President Biden To Designate Dolores River Canyons National Monument.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/26/24.
-“OPINION: Hunters and anglers call for Biden to designate Dolores River Canyons National Monument.” Montrose Press: 8/24/24.
-“Hunters and anglers call for Biden to designate Dolores River Canyons National Monument.” The Durango Herald: 8/22/24.
-Colorado BHA Central West Slope Regional Director Craig Grother was featured in an August 2024 9News story about the proposed Dolores River Canyons National Monument in southwest Colorado.[56]
-Thomas Plank. “Colorado’s Senators Share BHA Priorities for the Dolores Canyon National Monument Proposal.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/8/24.
-Collin Hildebrand of Grand Junction is a sportsman, bird hunter, dog trainer, and conservationist. “‘Rooted in long-standing traditions of hunting, fishing, exploring wild places.’” The Durango Herald: 7/7/24.
-Jason Blevins. “Colorado’s U.S. Senators express support for added protection of Dolores River, with safeguards for existing uses.” The Colorado Sun: 7/4/24.
-“Colorado voters overwhelmingly support conservation action for the Dolores Canyons, with one recent poll finding 92 percent of Colorado voters support protections. Over 100,000 people have signed petitions calling for a national monument … More than 200 businesses have endorsed the proposed monument … The City of Grand Junction—the largest gateway community adjacent to the Dolores Canyons—supports a national monument designation.”[57]
-“Bennet, Hickenlooper Statement on Dolores Canyons National Monument Proposal.” Press Release: 7/3/24.
-“Today, Trout Unlimited and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers launched Sportsmen for the Dolores (sportsmenforthedolores.org). The purpose of this coalition is to conserve fish and wildlife habitat, as well as sustain sporting opportunities, on Bureau of Land Management and National Forest Service lands in the Dolores River watershed. The Dolores River offers world-class hunting and fishing opportunities but faces threats from industrial-scale mining, habitat fragmentation, climate change, and unmanaged recreation.”[58]
-Kaden McArthur. “BHA, TU, Launch Sportsmen for the Dolores.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/7/24.
-Jay Chancellor (Trout Unlimited) & Kaden McArthur (Backcountry Hunters & Anglers). “Hunters And Anglers Push For New National Monument In Colorado: The Dolores River offers world-class hunting and fishing opportunities but faces threats from industrial-scale mining, habitat fragmentation, climate change, and unmanaged recreation.” Colorado Trout Unlimited: 6/7/24.
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Support Dolores River Canyons National Monument Proposal.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/5/24.
-Leslie Kaminski. “Conserving the Dolores River canyons is a gain for Western Slope hunters.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 3/8/24.
-Kaden McArthur. “BHA’s 2024 Policy Priorities.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/24/24. See p. 19 for Colorado Priority Landscapes, which include: 1.) Continental Divide, San Juan Mountains, Thompson Divide and Curecanti Designations; 2.) Dolores River.
-“Policy Updates.” Backcountry Beat: September 2023. “S. 636, Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act, led by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO). Through establishing the Dolores River National Conservation Area and Dolores River Special Management Area the bill would conserve a total of 68,000 acres of public lands and waters. Management of these areas will be directed to conserve, protect, and enhance native fish, wildlife and recreational resources, among others.”
-Peter Arlein. “Permanent protection for the Dolores River is Biden’s opportunity to secure a conservation legacy: The river sustains communities and exemplifies the power of our natural places.” Colorado Newsline: 12/14/23.
-“CO BHA Legislative Statement: Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Support Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy (CORE) Act & Dolores River National Conservation Area And Special Management Area Act.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/12/23.
-There’s another/related effort to create a larger Dolores Canyons National Monument in Colorado’s Mesa and Montrose counties: https://www.protectthedolores.org/
-Also see: https://www.sportsmenforthedolores.org/
-Dolores River Canyons National Monument (Colorado): Sportsmen For The Dolores.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XMT4ZevPZCwh3ncy8
-“Conserving large tracts of undeveloped public lands as national monuments is essential to America’s hunting and fishing traditions.” –John Gale, former BHA Conservation Director[59]
-BHA Stewardship: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/stewardship
National Monuments
-Kaden McArthur. “House Committee Considers Legislation to Undermine the Antiquities Act.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/22/24.
-As BHA stipulates in our “Hunter & Angler Tenets for New Monuments” Report:
1.) The monument proposal must be developed through a public process–one that includes hunters and anglers, as well as appropriate state and local governments.
2.) The monument proclamation must clearly stipulate that management authority over fish and wildlife populations will be retained by state fish and wildlife agencies.
3.) Reasonable public access must be retained to enable continued hunting and fishing opportunities.
4.) The input and guidance of hunters and anglers must be included in management plans for national monuments.
5.) Important fish and wildlife habitat must be protected.
6.) The proposal must enjoy support from local sportsmen and women.
7.) Sporting opportunities must be upheld and the historical and cultural significance of hunting and fishing explicitly acknowledged in the monument proclamation.
-Katie McKalip. “National Monuments, A Net Gain for Hunters and Anglers.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/27/23.
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) Report. “Hunter & Angler Tenets for New Monuments.” BHA: 10/12/22.
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “Hunting National Monuments.” BHA National Monument Hunting & Fishing Maps (for six Western national monuments): 2017.
-David A. Lien. “Antiquities Act protects hunting and angling on public lands.” Greeley Tribune: 4/26/17.
-“National Monuments Report.” Backcountry Hunters & Angers: 2/19/16.
-“Conserving large tracts of undeveloped public lands as national monuments is essential to America’s hunting and fishing traditions.” –John Gale, former BHA Conservation Director[60]
Corner Crossing
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (5/24/24). “BHA has been committed to the fight for corner crossing since this case first popped off in fall 2021. The Wyoming Chapter of BHA has led the charge in fundraising for the legal defense of the four Missouri hunters at the center of this battle for public access against the wealthy interests looking to keep citizens off of our public lands. Currently, BHA is supporting the appeals process in federal court, filing an amicus brief on behalf of the hunters and public access. But in a case like this, where public lands are at threat from billionaire interests, we need all the help we can get.”
-Bryan Jones. “Corner Crossing Case Heard in 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/15/24.
-Thomas Plank. “BHA Ramps up Defense of Public Access in ‘Corner Crossing’ Case.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/18/24.
-Thomas Plank. “Corner Crossing Lawsuit Update: The Brief Defending Access to Public Lands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/11/24.
-Angus M. Thuermer Jr. “Coalition representing 4 million members backs corner-crossing hunters.” WyoFile: 1/17/24.
Wilderness
-Kylee Burleigh. “BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 185: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Gila Wilderness.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/23/24.
-Kevin Proescholdt. “Mountain bikers push to ride through America’s last protected wilderness lands.” Denver Post: 7/23/24.
-Kevin Proescholdt. “Mountain bikers push to ride through wilderness.” Writers On The Range: 7/22/24.
-Colorado BHA supports the Sarvis Creek Wilderness addition (see link below) along with the Routt County Commissioners, Keep Rout Wild, etc.
-As Colorado BHA Routt County Group leaders Luke Fitzgerald and Michael Kozer stated: “The proposed Sarvis Creek Wilderness expansion area includes elk-calving areas, elk summer range, and elk migration corridors,” Luke said. “A few years ago a friend and I hunted the area under review. It was quite obvious that this area was a wintering ground for elk. We found several sheds indicating that both young bulls and cows were wintering in the area,” Michael added.
-Seth Boster. “Continued push for wilderness area expansion in northwest Colorado.” OutThereColorado: 6/20/24.
-“Stalking Wildness: BHA’s Wilderness Warriors.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/13/24.
-Maria Handley. “Voters from both parties want enduring public lands protection.” High Country News: 6/28/24.
-Staff Report. “Hickenlooper, Bennet, Neguse introduce bill to expand Sarvis Creek Wilderness.” Steamboat Pilot & Today: 3/20/24.
-Colorado BHA has submitted written support for LWCF funding to facilitate this purchase.
-Seth Boster. “A 'holy grail' of conservation: Colorado land manager celebrates Snowmass Falls Ranch deal.” OutThereColorado: 4/1/24.
-Seth Boster. “Wilderness Act turns 60: A look at some of Colorado's treasured lands.” OutThereColorado: 4/1/24.
-“Unfortunately, wilderness is a quickly vanishing resource. Whether it be ‘big wilderness’ like you find in vast federally protected areas out west or ‘small wilderness’ like you might find on the farm behind your house—these places are constantly being chipped away at, year after year becoming victim to the encroaching footprint of man. It’s up to us—hunters, anglers, campers, climber, hikers, etc.—to keep ‘all the wild that remains’ wild.” -Mark Kenyon[61]
-Kylee Burleigh. “BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 182: Putting Conservation Back in the Foundation of Hunting and Fishing with Mark Kenyon.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/11/24.
-“Trails vs. Elk: ‘They’re Just Dying Off.’” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/3/21.
-BHA Statement on Mountain Bikes, Wildlife and Wilderness (8/31/16).
-“Sportsmen Agree Mountain Bikes Don’t Belong In Wilderness.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Blog: 8/31/16.
Public Lands/Bad Ideas
-Kaden McArthur. “House of Representatives to Vote on Attacks to Public Lands and Waters.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/25/24.
-“Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) are co-sponsoring the ‘Public Lands in Public Hands Act’ which would ban the sale or transfer of most public lands managed by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (which includes the vast majority of federal public lands – Bureau of Land Management is under Interior and the National Forests are under Agriculture). The bill also requires Congressional approval for disposals of publicly accessible federal land tracts over 300 acres and for public land tracts over five acres if accessible via a public waterway.”[62]
-Kylee Burleigh. “Bonus Episode: Public Lands In Public Hands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/27/24.
-Sage Marshall. “New Bill Would Make It Harder for the Government to Sell Off Public Lands: The bipartisan Public Lands in Public Hands Act would require the BLM to get congressional approval to sell or transfer certain types of publicly accessible parcels.” Field & Stream: 2/27/24.
-Thomas Plank. “BHA Applauds Legislative Effort to Stop Public Land Transfers.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/19/24.
-Joel Webster. “New Bipartisan Legislation Would Keep Public Lands in Public Hands.” TRCP: 2/22/24.
-Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF). “New attacks on public lands emerge in Congress.” CLF: 11/17/23.
-Kaden McArthur. “New HOUSES Act Still a Threat to Our Public Lands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/30/23.
-David A. Lien “Selling off our public lands is a bad idea that won’t die.” VailDaily: 1/29/23.
-For more about the ongoing efforts by some legislators in Congress (and others) to privatize our public lands estate see the “Bad Ideas” section (scroll to end) in: “A Hunter-Angler (Hell-Raisin’ & Habitat Savin’) Guide To Winning: Colorado BHA Examples (Browns Canyon & Camp Hale).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/23/23.
-BHA Stewardship: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/stewardship
CPW Commission Engagement
-Bryan Jones. “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Welcomes Murphy Robinson to Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/23/24.
-Tracy Ross. “Colorado governor appoints a Denver Bronco, an ex-mayor and a rancher to outdoor leadership positions.” The Colorado Sun: 8/23/24.
-Commission meetings/information: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/pages/commission.aspx
-Sportsperson’s Roundtable and Caucuses: Attend a meeting near you! Regional Caucus meetings are open to all sportspersons and give an opportunity to meet with CPW staff and caucus delegates to discuss hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation in Colorado. https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Roundtable.aspx
2024 Events (Upcoming)
-Upcoming CO BHA Events: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/co_upcoming_events
-Upcoming BHA Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) Events: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/events_afi
Other/Related 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.
-BHA Stewardship: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/stewardship
-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
Related Information/Resources
-“Hunting For Experience: Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Oral History Project.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/28/24.
-“The Patron Saints of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/12/24.
-“Stalking Wildness: BHA’s Wilderness Warriors.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/13/24.
-“Public Lands (& Freedom) Unite Our Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Tribe.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/5/24.
-“A Hunter-Angler (Hell-Raisin’ & Habitat Savin’) Guide To Winning: Colorado BHA Examples (Browns Canyon & Camp Hale).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/23/23.
-“Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: Mission, Issues & Actions (Triads).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/17/23.
-“Minnesota BHA North Country Icebreaker (‘Stoke The Fire,’ But Don’t Burn Out!).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/11/23.
-“Armed Forces Initiative Helps Veterans Hunt … And More.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/17/22.
-“It’s All About The Meat.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/17/22.
-“Conservation (& Conciliation).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/15/21.
-“Colorado BHA State Chapter Leadership (Triad) Structure.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/26/21.
-“Hunting For Experience: At BHA’s North American Rendezvous.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/9/21.
-“BHA State Chapter Development (Recruiting/Retaining Leaders & Avoiding Burnout).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/1/21.
-“The ABCs Of LTEs: Writing Letters To The Editor.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/5/21.
-“Empowering Leaders: It’s In BHA’s DNA.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/7/21.
-“A Letter from CO Co-Chair David Lien.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 12/18/20.
-“Where Hope Lives: A Brief BHA History.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/30/20.
-“Looking back, looking forward: A brief history of BHA.” https://www.backcountryhunters.org/about
Sample of 2024 Events/Projects (Completed/Planned)
-Bryan Jones. “SW CO Chapter Assembly (on Feb. 18th).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/26/24.
-Armed Forces Initiative (AFI). “Colorado AFI Mapping Fences and Scouting Turkeys Workshop (March 23).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/22/24.
-Bryan Jones. “Lake Dillon Ice Fishing 2024 (March 24).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/7/24.
-Colorado BHA (3/29/24). “The @backcountryhunters 2nd Annual Lake Dillon Ice Fishing event is in the books. We had close to 100 people on the lake and all the kids took home their own rod and reel! Great day for the community and conservation. Thanks to our awesome Summit Chapter Leaders, the sponsors, and @coparkswildlife!”
-Briant Wiles. “Rabbit Mountain Open Space Fence Removal (March 26).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/14/24.
-Bryan Jones. “Pints For Public Lands 2024 (on April 24).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/8/24.
-Brittany Parker. “CO Wildlife Management 101 (April 25).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/21/24.
-The BHA (20th Anniversary) North American Rendezvous will be held (April 18-20) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
-Briant Wiles. “Meeker Fence Removal and Lek Viewing (April 26-28).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 2/20/24.
-Briant Wiles. “Perins Peak Fence Removal (May 10-11).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/11/23.
-Briant Wiles. “Rabbit Mtn Fence Removal May 2024 (May 11).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/8/24.
-Rafael Vargas. “Colorado AFI Pint Night (May 16).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/15/24.
-Bryan Jones. “Beers, Bands, and Barbwire Strands 2024 (May 17-19).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/14/24.
-Colorado BHA (4/30/24). “Wild Game Potluck! Show off your culinary skills at 2nd annual Beer, Bands, and Barbwire Strands (May 17-19).”
-Brian Wiles. “Bellyache Fence Removal: Eagle, CO (May 31-June 2).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/22/24.
-Spring Creek fence pull – June 15. Working with the Ouray ranger district of the GMUG Forest to remove old sheep fence from the rim of Spring Creek canyon outside of Montrose.
-“Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers 15th Annual Rendezvous (June 21-23, 2024).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/14/24.
-Bryan Jones. “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers 15th Annual Rendezvous (June 21-23).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/29/24.
-Rafael Vargas. “Colorado AFI Archery Skills Workshop (June 29 in Littleton).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/31/24.
-Cimarron SWA fence pull – July 12-14. Working with CPW to remove 1 mile of fence on the boundary of the Cimarron SWA east of Montrose.
-Briant Wiles. “Howe Ranch Fence Pull: July 12-14, 2024.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/22/24.
-Briant Wiles. “4th Annual Wet Meadow Restoration Day (July 20).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/31/24.
-Briant Wiles. “Fenced Out! - 4 months of Colorado fence projects.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/22/24.
-Briant Wiles. “Pumphouse Fence Removal 24 (July 26-28).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/28/24.
-Come join Fort Carson AFI for the Annual Fort Carson AFI 3D Archery Shoot on Aug. 10th at 9AM.
-Dan Noble SWA fence pull – August 9-11. Working with CPW to remove up to 4 miles of old sheep fence on the border of the Miramonte reservoir.
-Briant Wiles. “Lime Park Fence Pull (Aug. 9-11).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/4/24.
-Sam Gildner. “CO AFI South Park Fence Pull (Aug. 17th).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/10/24.
-Briant Wiles. “Snowmass Falls Ranch (Aug. 17).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/29/24.
-Colorado BHA (9/4/24). “Join us in Salida Sept 19. to help the USFS remove fence in prime elk and deer country. Check out the events page to sign up.”
-“CO BHA Trivia & Pint Night sponsored by OnX (Aug. 22nd).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/24/24.
-Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (8/28/24). “Earlier this month, CO BHA partnered with Colorado Parks & Wildlife for their annual Big Game Processing 101.
Sam Gildner. “CO AFI Disabled Vet and Bear Elk Hunt (Sept. 19-23).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/9/24.
-Colorado BHA (9/4/24). “Join us in Salida Sept 19th. to help the USFS remove fence in prime elk and deer country. Check out the events page to sign up.”
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 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. The Colorado BHA chapter was founded by David Petersen (a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot) in 2005 (the first official BHA chapter).
[1] Scott Willoughby. “David ‘Elkheart’ Petersen aims to protect outdoor resources.” The Denver Post: 6/12/13.
[2] Kris Hess. “CO BHA Publishes Memo on Illegal Trails.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/24/22.
[3] Derek Pankratz. “CO BHA Chapter Newsletter Spring 2024.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/8/24.
[4] Ted Koch, BHA North American Board Chair. “Growing Up.” Backcountry Journal: Winter 2024, p. 3.
[5] https://www.backcountryhunters.org/our_issues
[6] Ron Spomer is a hunting writer, conservationist, and photographer.
[7] Trevor Hubbs, BHA Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) Coordinator. “Lethal Minds Journal Volume 13.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/17/23. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/lethal_minds_journal_volume_13
[8] Will Bostwick. “The New Documentary ‘Public Trust’ Is a Call to Action: By highlighting three potent public-lands battles, the film asks audiences to take a stand in a political moment that threatens the future of American conservation.” Outside: 2/19/20.
[9] David A. Lien. “Fighting to keep public lands in public hands.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 1/26/23.
[10] Land Tawney, BHA President and CEO. “Thank You.” Backcountry Journal: Fall 2023, p. 3.
[11] David A. Lien. “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Increase Reward For Illegal Trail Construction (Help Stop Trail Building ‘Free-For-All’).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/10/23; Kris Hess/Brien Webster. “CO BHA Publishes Memo on Illegal Trails.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/24/22; David A. Lien. “More trails a slippery slope to less hunting.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 12/9/21.
[12] https://www.backcountryhunters.org/fair_chase
[13] Jim Posewitz. Beyond Fair Chase. Helena, Montana: Falcon Publishing, Inc., 1994, p. 40.
[14] Douglas S. Barasch. “Saying the ‘C-Word’: Conservation, finally, comes into vogue.” Onearth: Spring 2006, p. 3.
[15] Colorado BHA Co-Chair David A. Lien quoted in/by: Dennis Anderson. “Opinions vary on using drones for hunting.” Minneapolis-St. Paul (Minn.) StarTribune: 3/17/14.
[16] Trevor Hubbs. “AFI Boundary Waters 2022: As seen in Oct-Dec issue of FlyFisherman Magazine.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/2/23.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Russell Worth Parker. “Military To Public Lands Protector.” Backcountry Journal: Fall 2023, p. 34.
[19] Travis Bradford. “2023 BHA Membership Survey Results.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/29/23.
[20] Dalton Wayne Hoover. “AFI Q:1 Newsletter.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/12/24.
[21] Will Bostwick. “The New Documentary 'Public Trust' Is a Call to Action: By highlighting three potent public-lands battles, the film asks audiences to take a stand in a political moment that threatens the future of American conservation.” Outside: 2/19/20.
[22] “The Fight for Stream Access: Hunters, Anglers, and Boaters Unite for Colorado’s Waters.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 9/6/24.
[23] Bruce Finley. “83-year-old Colorado fisherman is back, defiant, seeking arrest and support in fight for freedom to wade in state’s rivers: Roger Hill fighting for ‘right to wade’ in Colorado rivers.” The Denver Post: 9/2/24.
[24] Bruce Finley. “83-year-old Colorado fisherman is back, defiant, seeking arrest and support in fight for freedom to wade in state’s rivers: Roger Hill fighting for ‘right to wade’ in Colorado rivers.” The Denver Post: 9/2/24.
[25] Bruce Finley. “83-year-old Colorado fisherman is back, defiant, seeking arrest and support in fight for freedom to wade in state’s rivers: Roger Hill fighting for ‘right to wade’ in Colorado rivers.” The Denver Post: 9/2/24.
[26] Colorado Trout Unlimited (TU). “Governor Signs Law To Protect Colorado Waters.” Colorado TU: 6/11/24.
[27] Kaden McArthur. “What Project 2025 Means for Public Lands and Waters.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/15/24.
[28] Ibid.
[29] Ibid.
[30] Ibid.
[31] Ibid.
[32] Ibid.
[33] Ibid.
[34] Ibid.
[35] Ibid.
[36] Ibid.
[37] Ibid.
[38] Michelle Nijhuis and Erin X. Wong. “Project 2025’s extreme vision for the West.” High Country News: 7/19/24.
[39] Thomas Plank. “BHA To Run Ads Urging CO, OR, CA & AZ Legislators To Protect Public Lands, Conservation Program.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/28/24.
[40] Thomas Plank. “BHA To Run Ads Urging CO, OR, CA & AZ Legislators To Protect Public Lands, Conservation Program.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/28/24.
[41] Thomas Plank. “BHA To Run Ads Urging CO, OR, CA & AZ Legislators To Protect Public Lands, Conservation Program.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/28/24.
[42] Thomas Plank. “Utah Attempts to Wrest Public Lands Out of Public Hands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/20/24.
[43] Dac Collins. “Don’t Let Politicians Convince You That Selling Public Lands Is the Solution to America’s Housing Affordability Crisis.” Outdoor Life: 8/16/24.
[44] Dac Collins. “Don’t Let Politicians Convince You That Selling Public Lands Is the Solution to America’s Housing Affordability Crisis.” Outdoor Life: 8/16/24.
[45] Dac Collins. “Don’t Let Politicians Convince You That Selling Public Lands Is the Solution to America’s Housing Affordability Crisis.” Outdoor Life: 8/16/24.
[46] Tom Sykes. “Don’t sell lands to highest bidder.” The Durango Herald: 3/7/15.
[47] Brian Wiles. “Spring Creek Rim Fence Removal.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/1/24.
[48] Derek Pankratz. “CO BHA Chapter Newsletter Spring 2024.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/8/24.
[49] Thomas Plank. “Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal Benefits Public Lands, Waters, Wildlife.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/3/24.
[50] Ibid.
[51] Ibid.
[52] Derek Pankratz. “CO BHA Chapter Newsletter Spring 2024.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/8/24.
[53] Shawn Perich. “In the company of otters, loons and eagles.” Outdoor News: 5/11/18, p. 11.
[54] Derek Pankratz. “CO BHA Chapter Newsletter Spring 2024.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 5/8/24.
[55] Ibid.
[56] 9News (8/15/24). “Communities concerned over a proposed national monument in southwest Colorado.”
[57] Protect the Dolores. “Western Slope Leaders Call for Swift Action from Senators on Dolores Canyons National Monument.” Press Release: 7/3/24.
[58] Kaden McArthur. “BHA, TU, Launch Sportsmen for the Dolores.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 6/7/24. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/bha_tu_launch_sportsmen_for_the_dolores
[59] Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA). “BHA Maps Hunting Opportunity in At-Risk National Monuments.” AmmoLand.com: 11/17/17.
[60] Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA). “BHA Maps Hunting Opportunity in At-Risk National Monuments.” AmmoLand.com: 11/17/17.
[61] Mark Kenyon (compliments of MeatEater). “Honing Your Outdoor Skills: A Letter All Hunters Should Read.” Whitetales: Winter 2023, p. 26.
[62] Kylee Burleigh. “Bonus Episode: Public Lands In Public Hands.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 3/27/24.
About David Lien