Colorado Parks and Wildlife is embarking on an effort to create a new strategic plan, and those who want to give their two cents can do so at a meeting Wednesday.
The agency is asking for help as it faces challenges of managing land and animals around the state. The meeting is schedule to run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Durango Public Library.
“We want to know what people want and expect from Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” said Patt Dorsey, the agency’s southwest region manager. “With that information, we’ll know better how to plan for the future of our growing state.”
Many parks facilities are aging, the public continually asks for more recreational access, and people expect more recreational opportunities, Parks and Wildlife said in a news release announcing the meeting. The agency said it also faces many wildlife challenges, including how to maintain big game, fisheries, watchable wildlife and species that may be threatened. Long-term funding for the agency is also a major issue.
A statewide telephone town hall will be held 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday. To join, dial (877) 229-8493 and enter the PIN 111956.
Meetings will also be held March 23 in Grand Junction and March 24 in Montrose at the Holiday Inn Express. A series of 11 public meetings around the state began Feb. 24.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife operates 42 state parks that receive more than 12 million visitors annually. The agency also keeps tabs on the state’s wildlife species and sells about 850,000 hunting and fishing licenses every year.
“Colorado is growing and more and more people are participating in a variety of outdoor activities,” Dorsey said.
The plan will be vetted by staff and ultimately voted on by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. The two commission members closest to Durango are about 2½ hours by vehicle: Chairman Robert Bray, a rancher in Redvale, northwest of Durango; and Dale Pizel, a land agent and ranch manager in Creede, northeast of Durango.
According to the agency’s website, “The plan will set a high-level vision, overarching goals and strategies.”
johnp@durangoherald.com
To Comment
Those who can’t attend one of the meetings can make comments online through Parks and Wildlife’s website: http://cpw.state.co.us/StrategicPlan.
For more information, email DNR_CPW_Planning@state.co.us; call (303) 869-1350; or write Strategic Plan 2015, 1313 Sherman, Suite 618, Denver, CO 80203.
