Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge Welcome to the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge page. For more info about the Refuge, go to http://www.fws.gov/refuge/two_ponds/.

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is the smallest urban unit in the National Wildlife Refuge System and is located in Arvada, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. The Refuge consists of approximately 72 acres, with 63 acres of upland habitat and 9 acres of wetlands, including 3 ponds. Refuge habitat supports over 120 different species of birds and many plant communities and mammals. The setting wa

s once characterized by plant communities of the High Plains--shortgrass and mixed-grass prairie. Livestock grazing and plowing of prairie sod for crops by European settlers altered the native plant and animal communities. More recently, housing developments and urbanization have also decreased the land available for native wildlife. In 1990, a local citizen's group was instrumental in saving this site from development. Their efforts contributed to the establishment of Two Ponds NWR in 1992. Due to its proximity to Denver, one of the Refuge's primary goals is to provide environmental education programs for urban school children. Each year, hundreds of school children learn about wildlife and wetlands. In addition, Two Ponds staff manages the Junior Duck Stamp program for the state of Colorado.

Colorado JDS judging event was a success! We had almost 500 entries and will celebrate the top winners in an award cerem...
03/25/2026

Colorado JDS judging event was a success! We had almost 500 entries and will celebrate the top winners in an award ceremony in May!

Due to the federal government shutdown, this account is not being actively updated.For more information, please visit:
10/01/2025

Due to the federal government shutdown, this account is not being actively updated.
For more information, please visit:

Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

09/29/2025
Volunteer team today!
09/29/2025

Volunteer team today!

09/09/2025
Photo Credit: James Clark
06/23/2025

Photo Credit: James Clark

Address

9210 W 80th Avenue
Arvada, CO
80005

Telephone

+13037292269

Website

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