Newest State Wildlife Area is just 60 miles southwest of Denver in Park County

By Johnny Burkin

Whether spiritual, physical or even cultural, the benefits that come from experiencing the natural world should not be understated. However, with a technological revolution in full swing and more and more people flocking to big cities, it can sometimes feel like the great outdoors has taken a back seat to the modern way of life.

It’s important to highlight the role that conservation plays in maintaining the delicate balance between nature and society. In Colorado, a lot of that responsibility falls on the shoulders of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), which, in a steward-like manner, manages much of the state's natural resources. Now, with the announcement that it has acquired Collard Ranch in Park County, the agency plans to build on its conservation efforts. The 1,860-acre property that is only 60 miles southwest of Denver and surrounded by Pike National Forest, is set to become the newest State Wildlife Area (SWA).

Group effort

For CPW though, it’s a purchase that would not have been possible without the contributions of other organizations, particularly the Western Rivers Conservancy and Great Outdoors Colorado. "A huge thank you to WRC and GOCO for their partnership in acquiring this property and protecting this land in perpetuity," said CPW area wildlife manager Mark Lamb. "Wildlife conservation work would not be successful without cooperation between government agencies, outdoor organizations, private landowners and nonprofits.”

CPW reports Collard Ranch serves as a primary route for thousands of migrating elk, as well as a common area for mule deer and pronghorn to traverse. Also of importance to the property is a five-mile stretch of Tarryall Creek that houses a rare beaver population living on the valley floor. With beaver working the area, trout often thrive in that habitat.

For GOCO executive director Jackie Miller, whose organization financed $6.25 million of the $8.25 million needed to secure the property, it was an investestment well worth the funds.

“We developed our Centennial Program to invest in once-in-a-generation opportunities that protect some of our most valuable places and create meaningful access to the great outdoors for Coloradans,” Miller said. “Western Rivers Conservancy and Colorado Parks and Wildlife have given us exactly that kind of opportunity with the Collard Ranch project.”

SWA vs. State Parks

While acquiring Collard Ranch was a joint effort, it will now be up to CPW to oversee its transition into a wildlife area. One important facet of this process includes opening it up for public access. Unlike a state park, a SWA usually offers less amenities such as trail systems and camping and instead provides mostly hunting and fishing opportunities. To an avid fisherman like Don Logelin, who also is the president of the Pikes Peak Chapter of Trout Unlimited, this is welcome news.

“I am excited about this new stretch of Tarryall Creek being open to the public." Logelin said. “This area is a wonderful small trout stream which meanders the valley floor and has a number of beaver ponds.”

Despite the Pikes Peak Chapter being based in Colorado Springs, it covers all of South Park, which is bisected by U.S. Highway 285.

Logelin said he has fished at Cline Ranch, another SWA just upstream from Collard Ranch. In fact, he hopes that CPW will adopt some of the unique regulations seen at Cline Ranch and apply them to Collard Ranch. This includes limiting the number of people who can fish the stream at one time. As Logelin notes, Tarryall Creek is a small stream, so regulations like those utilized at Cline Ranch help make sure it doesn’t get overfished.

Ultimately, it will be up to CPW to decide what approach it will take with Collard Ranch. But that’s what can make conservation work so tricky; finding the right balance that not only helps preserve the natural environment, but also allows for the public to engage with it.

In addition to contributing to Thirst Colorado, Johnny Burkin writes screenplays and breaks down the possibility of the Denver Nuggets repeating as NBA champs.