The Colorado chapter is pleased to celebrate these milestones, recognitions, and leaders in conservation who have dedicated their valuable time and effort to advance BHA's mission.

2024 

Dan Parkinson - 2024 Aldo Leopold Award Recipient
For outstanding effort in conserving terrestrial wildlife habitat. The award recipient embodies Leopold’s quote “To those devoid of imagination a blank place on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part.” This person has contributed significant time and achieved notable accomplishments that have led to the long-term enhancement and protection of wild lands. The recipient as displayed the ability to raise awareness through testimony, advocacy campaigns, or fundraising support for BHA’s continued on-the-ground efforts.

2023 

Alex Krebs (Southwest Assistant Regional Director) - 2023 BHA Member of the Month (June)
Recognized for his leadership on the Jackson Mountain Proposal, a proposed mountain bike trail system in the Jackson Mountain area north of Pagosa Springs and it's potential impact on big game and other regional wildlife.

Ivan James - CO BHA Chapter Award
Recognized for his decades of selfless leadership and untold contributions of time and effort to wildlands and wildlife preservation efforts. After retirement Ivan spent 13 years on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Bowhunters Association, the last 11 as Vice-Chairman for Legislation. Each of these years he worked on from seven to eleven bills.

John Chandler (Gunnison Regional Director) - BHA Member of the Month (March)
Recognized for his creation of the extremely successful Colorado Public Lands Day Weekend Bash and his work to secure high-level sponsors and an out-of-this-world venue along with facilitating connections with local businesses and nonprofits to increase volunteer turnout. He was instrumental in the organization and execution of the biggest stewardship event the Colorado chapter has ever seen.

Don Holmstrom – 2023 Sigurd F. Olson Award Recipient
Recognized for outstanding effort conserving rivers, lakes or wetland habitat.

2021

Kassi Smith - Member of the Month (October)
Recognized for singlehandedly organizing three separate Women in the Woods Weekend Workshops including an elk hunting camp, a fly-fishing camp and a waterfowl and upland game bird camp. Kassi embodies BHA’s ethos and is a rising star in our ranks, consulting with chapter leaders across North America to help grow the Women in the Woods Program.

Craig Grother - Member of the Month (February)
Recognized for developing this GIS analysis and report for the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests. This tool has been designed to bring wildlife management needs to the forefront of a decision-making process that will shape the management direction and priorities of the GMUG for the next 20-30 years. Craig's efforts have resulted in a tool that will allow Colorado BHA to build a strong coalition of support, educate the public, and shape the management direction of the GMUG to the benefit of wildlife.

Ivan James – Wildlife Habitat Award (The Holton Recorder)
Recognized for establishing wildlife habitat on his land near Circleville

Adam Gall – 2021 Jim Posewitz Award
For advancing ethical, responsible behavior in the hunting and fishing fields by example, leadership or education. Through advocacy or programming, they have proven themselves as a galvanizing force in maintaining a positive perception of hunting and angling in the eye of the general public. This person exemplifies the BHA ethos as a role model to novice and seasoned hunters and anglers alike to ensure that our sporting heritage maintains its prominence in 21st-century society.

2020

Leslie Kaminski - Chapter Leader of the Month (Backcountry Beat August 2020)
Recognized for her contributions to BHA's Hike to Hunt Challenge, raising $2,125.00 and hiking 87 miles along the way as well as elevating our work and advancing our mission in meaningful ways, from hosting a series of fly-tying workshops engaging women to supporting Hunting for Sustainability programming efforts, fostering relationships with important allies, representing BHA as a panelist at a major conference, and helping to shape the chapter's strategic plan and direction. 

Colorado Chapter - 2020 Policy Roundup
Colorado BHA was recognized in the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers 2020 Policy Roundup, “State And Provincial” section. As stated there: “The Colorado Chapter helped secure the addition of public access to 200,000 acres of state trust lands that were previously not open to public hunting and angling. The chapter also was instrumental in lobbying the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to include regulatory provisions that protect riparian areas, wildlife habitat and create opportunities for consideration of migration corridors in state leasing and permitting processes.

Craig Grother – Member of the Month (February)
Recognized for his countless days and weeks working to protect public lands habitat from motorized overuse and abuse and other threats in the Norwood and Ouray Ranger Districts of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests and elsewhere in the state.

2019

David Lien - 2019 Mike Beagle-Chairman’s Award
Given to the individual who has shown remarkable dedication to BHA's mission. The person receiving this award has exemplified extraordinary commitment and passion in advancing conservation efforts on behalf of BHA. Their tireless work spans various projects, from spearheading state-level policy initiatives to bolstering BHA's federal endeavors. Whether stopping detrimental legislation or championing new laws to promote conservation, they have consistently demonstrated a steadfast alignment with BHA's mission as the voice for public lands, waters, and wildlife. Their unwavering commitment not only amplifies BHA’s collective voice in the conservation arena, but also inspires others to join in our noble cause.

Colorado Chapter – BHA Chapter of the Month (July 2019)
For years, the Colorado chapter has been a leading voice advocating for improved access on state trust lands in Colorado. Thanks in part to the chapter’s sustained efforts, the quality work of CU graduate student Liz Rose, and our dedicated members and partners, Colorado hunters will have access to an additional 500,000 acres in the coming years, with 100,000 acres becoming accessible to hunters this fall. This is a big victory and it would not have happened without the leadership from the Colorado chapter.

Ty Woodward – Member of the Month (August)
Recognized for his leadership in Colorado’s southeast region.

Western Colorado University BHA Club – College Club of the Month (October)
Recognized for organizing and/or hosting a seemingly non-stop series of events and activities in support of our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.

Colorado Chapter - 2019 Policy Roundup
Colorado BHA was recognized in the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers 2019 Policy Roundup, “State Accomplishments” section. As stated there: “Years of hard work by BHA was recently rewarded in Colorado when the state approved the expansion of public recreational access on 500,000 acres of state trust lands that were previously closed to public use, with 100,000 acres opened immediately to the public in 2019.”

2018

Russell Bassett – Member of the Month (November)
For his numerous contributions as CLT’s Front Range Sponsor-Events Coordinator including multiple Pint Nights, H2H ice fishing trip, Gear & Beer, Public Lands Day celebration, and more!

2017

Colorado Chapter – Chapter of the Month (May)
For their outstanding contributions to BHA’s work and mission.

Rick Seymour - Member of the Month (May)
For his contributions to CO BHA including participation in the Train to Hunt Challenge, appointment to Colorado’s Forest Health Advisory Council as the sportsman organization representative, organizing a Beers for the Backcountry gathering, leading multiple Colorado Public Lands Day events, assisting the BLM in clean ups, helping post post ATV/OHV enforcement signage, and penning dozen letters to the editor that have been published in a half-dozen regional papers covering topics ranging from supporting the Continental Divide Wilderness and Recreation Act to opposing Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz’s bills to sell 3.3 million acres of public lands and to terminate the law enforcement functions of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

2016

Steven Chormanski
Recognized for leading Colorado BHA’s push to get “smart rifles” and “life-action game camera’s” banned for use in Colorado by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission.

Rick Seymour – Volunteer of the Month (May)
Recognized for singlehandedly coordinating the chapter’s participation in the Train to Hunt (TTH) Challenge and lining up multiple sponsors and donations for the event.

Matt Anderson - BHA Member of the Month (September)
Recognized for hosting a Full Draw Film Tour event, signing up 15 new members and rallying a crowd of more than 60 Full Draw fans, introducing the BHA mission to an optimistic and fun-loving bowhunting crowd, and for hosting a Hunter & Angler Happy Hour at the Großen Bart Brewery.

2015

Craig Grother – Volunteer of the Month (January)
Recognized for his contributions as a volunteer Habitat Watchman for the Uncompahgre National Forest and his efforts to protect wildlands and wildlife from OHV overuse and abuse. He was also the chapter’s point man on the Norwood Burn Canyon Travel Management Plan (TMP). Thanks, in great part, to Craig’s input and vigilance, this TMP protects high-quality big game habitat by decommissioning unnecessary motorized spur roads while also protecting undisturbed habitat from new motorized routes.

Colorado Chapter - George B. Grinnell Chapter of the Year Award
Presented to the outstanding BHA chapter of the year, noted for their hard work, innovation, and successful initiatives. The chapter receiving this award has made an undeniable difference on behalf of public lands, waters, and wildlife, and has displayed outstanding effort in the areas of state policy, stewardship projects, membership growth, events, fundraising, and/or communications. The chapter adheres to organizational standards and guidelines and exhibits a collaborative ‘One BHA’ spirit. It is comprised of exceptional volunteers who consistently exceed expectations.

Bill Sustrich & Paul Vertrees - Browns Canyon Contributions
Recognized for their unwavering commitment, spanning ten-plus years, to helping protect low-elevation big game habitat in the Browns Canyon area near Salida, which was designated a national monument in 2015.

2014

Scott Willoughby - Ted Trueblood Award
For a journalist whose work covering important conservation issues shows outstanding communication on behalf of backcountry habitat and values, and tells the story of our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. The recipient is considered a positive and unbiased source of conservation news and information for hunters and anglers.

David Lien – Hero of Conservation (Field & Stream)
Recognized by Field & Stream as a “Hero of Conservation.” Lien, a former Air Force officer, created BHA’s Habitat Watchmen program in 2009, which utilizes volunteers to find and eliminate threats to wildlife habitat.

Dan Parkinson - Volunteer of the Month (August)
Recognized for being Colorado BHA’s Southwest Regional Director, regularly volunteering to attend meetings, writing/submitting comments on public lands management, and actively engaging on multiple conservation-related issues. Dan also served as BHA’s representative on the Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) Sportsmen Roundtable Advisory Group.

Dan Martel - Volunteer of the Month (December)
Recognized for his contributions as a volunteer Habitat Watchmen for the Rio Grande National Forest, helping guide BHA through part of its website upgrade process and assisting with organizing the annual BHA-Colorado Parks & Wildlife “A Taste of Backcountry Angling Fishing Clinic.”

2013

Craig Grother - 2013 Aldo Leopold Award Recipient
For outstanding effort in conserving terrestrial wildlife habitat. The award recipient embodies Leopold’s quote “To those devoid of imagination a blank place on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part.” This person has contributed significant time and achieved notable accomplishments that have led to the long-term enhancement and protection of wild lands. The recipient as displayed the ability to raise awareness through testimony, advocacy campaigns, or fundraising support for BHA’s continued on-the-ground efforts.

David “Elkheart” Petersen - 2013 Mike Beagle (Chairman’s) Award Recipient
Given to the individual who has shown remarkable dedication to BHA's mission. The person receiving this award has exemplified extraordinary commitment and passion in advancing conservation efforts on behalf of BHA. Their tireless work spans various projects, from spearheading state-level policy initiatives to bolstering BHA's federal endeavors. Whether stopping detrimental legislation or championing new laws to promote conservation, they have consistently demonstrated a steadfast alignment with BHA's mission as the voice for public lands, waters, and wildlife. Their unwavering commitment not only amplifies BHA’s collective voice in the conservation arena, but also inspires others to join in our noble cause.

2012

Robert “Bob” Marion - 2012 Aldo Leopold Award Recipient
For outstanding effort in conserving terrestrial wildlife habitat. The award recipient embodies Leopold’s quote “To those devoid of imagination a blank place on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part.” This person has contributed significant time and achieved notable accomplishments that have led to the long-term enhancement and protection of wild lands. The recipient as displayed the ability to raise awareness through testimony, advocacy campaigns, or fundraising support for BHA’s continued on-the-ground efforts.

2010

Robert “Bob” Marion
Recognized for his ever-vigilant and ongoing work to protect the backcountry of southwest Colorado from dirt bikes and other off-road scofflaws. Bob is a Colorado BHA San Juan National Forest Habitat Watchman, and his tenacity and drive to protect his public lands “backyard” is second-to-none.

David “Elkheart” Petersen
Recognized for his unparalleled lifelong contributions to promoting ethical hunting and wildlands/wildlife conservation both in Colorado and nationwide. David is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and founder of Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (the first BHA state chapter).

2009

Bill Sustrich
Recognized for leading Colorado BHA’s campaign to protect 22,000 acres of low-elevation big game habitat in the Browns Canyon area between Buena Vista and Salida as wilderness/a national monument. Bill (a U.S. Navy/WW II veteran) raised a family of four youngsters on deer, elk and trout he shot and caught in wild places like Browns Canyon, and has been one of Colorado’s staunchest advocates for its protection.

Paul Vertrees
Recognized for a history of BHA activism, including attending multiple national forest resource/travel management meetings, writing letters-to-editors and op-eds supporting stronger enforcement of ATV/OHV laws and regulations, and generally working seemingly non-stop to protect public lands habitat from numerous threats.

Tom Sykes
Recognized for his tireless, and at times courageous, work fighting to preserve wildlife habitat from growing assaults by ATVs/OHVs and dirt bikes in the San Juan National Forest (SJNF) region of southwest Colorado as a Habitat Watchman volunteer for the SJNF.