Colorado Parks and Wildlife - Montrose

07/24/2026

Last week, local aquatic biologist Eric Gardunio and our staff coordinated with Gold Mountain Fire personnel and U.S. Forest Service-Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests Fish and Aquatic Program Manager Valerie Thompson to gain access into the fire closure area to rescue Uncompahgre cutthroat trout with rare genetics from the fire and threats of subsequent ash and debris flows.

Learn more about this effort, what makes these native trout so unique and what the future holds for these 103 fish at the story link below.

And thank you to everyone who buys a Colorado fishing license. Your contributions to conservation in Colorado help make stories like this possible.

https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2026/07/24/if-we-give-them-a-chance/

07/09/2026

Our Ladies Cast, Blast & Fling for novice sportswomen is back this summer!

We are hosting this event Aug. 7-9 at the Jim Olterman Lone Cone State Wildlife Area in Norwood.

This program is for women brand new to hunting and fishing. Lessons will include the basics of archery, fly fishing, sh***un shooting and wildlife management. It is for women 18-and-older, and all participants must have a valid fishing license.

More info and application form can be found at the link below!

Home News Releases CPW hosting Cast and Blast for novice sportswomen Aug. 7-9 in Norwood CPW hosting Cast and Blast for novice sportswomen Aug. 7-9 in Norwood Southwest Region Share: John Livingston Southwest Region Public Information Officer 970-759-9590 / [email protected] CPW to...

07/03/2026

🔥 As the Gold Mountain Fire continues to burn, you may start to see more wildlife in unexpected places, including roads, trails, and residential neighborhoods. It is extremely important that you leave them alone. Our Wildlife are incredibly resilient and possess remarkable survival instincts to navigate these challenges.

🦌 If you encounter displaced wildlife, remember these critical safety rules:

• Give them space: Never approach, corner, or attempt to rescue a wild animal yourself.
• Leash your pets: Keep dogs securely on a leash to prevent stressful or dangerous interactions.
• Drive with caution: Slow down on roads, as smoke and fear drive animals across highways.
• Keep wildlife wild: Do not offer food to wildlife. Feeding them is illegal, attracts other nuisance animals to your yard, and increases the spread of disease. Place a shallow bowl of water at your property boundary instead.
• Report injuries: To report an injured animal, call CPW’s Montrose Area office at 970-252-6000. If it is after hours, contact the Colorado State Patrol at 970-249-4392.

🐻 In addition to deer, elk, and moose, you may see an increase in bear activity. Because human-bear conflicts are already high this year, it is vital to be bear-prepared by following the Six At-Home BearWise® Basics:

1. Never feed or approach bears: Intentionally feeding bears or letting them find food teaches them to approach homes.
2. Secure food, garbage, and recycling: Food and food odors attract bears, so lock up your trash and liquids.
3. Remove bird feeders: Birdseed and grains have lots of calories and are highly attractive to active bears.
4. Never leave pet food outdoors: Feed pets indoors when possible, or clean up bowls immediately after feeding.
5. Clean and store grills: Burn off grease and food particles after each use, then store grills in a secure area.
6. Alert neighbors to bear activity: Share information with your community to prevent conflicts and help keep everyone safe.

For more information on living with wildlife visit us at https://cpw.state.co.us/

For more information on the Gold Mountain Fire go to the fire’s page at Gold Mountain Fire

Gold Mountain Fire Ouray County Emergency Management U.S. Forest Service-Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests

📸 Courtesy of Rachael Gonzales

06/29/2026

Ouray County Sheriff - Gold Mountain Wildfire actively burning in Ouray County. The Sheriff has ordered the EVACAUTION of ALL individuals hiking, camping or otherwise recreating in the area of Cow Creek on Forest Service past the intersection of County Road (CR) 12. Closure notice is posted. LEAVE AREA NOW. No public access past road blocks. For more at OurayCountyCO.gov

06/29/2026

Secondary draw application help is available in our office today and tomorrow!

Hunters who didn't draw a license in the primary draw still have the opportunity to draw a license in the secondary draw. Most elk, deer, pronghorn and bear licenses not issued through the primary draw are available in a secondary draw. The secondary draw is open to anyone, whether they applied for....

06/24/2026

*Stage 2 Fire Restrictions:
By order of the San Miguel County Sheriff, Stage 2 fire restrictions will go into effect on Friday, June 26 at 12:01am for unincorporated San Miguel County. Extreme fire danger exists.

Under Stage 2 fire restrictions:
* No campfires, warming fires, or recreational fires.
* No charcoal grills, wood-burning stoves, or other solid-fuel fires outdoors.
* No open burning of debris, slash, or agricultural materials (except where specifically exempted).
* No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer rounds, or other incendiary devices.
* Smoking only in enclosed vehicles, buildings, or other approved areas.
* Restrictions on welding, torch use, chainsaws, generators, and other equipment unless spark-arresting and fire-suppression requirements are met.
* No off-road driving or parking — all vehicles must stay on established roads, trails, or parking area.

Stage 2 orders still allow propane or liquid-fueled devices with shutoff valves, such as gas grills, camp stoves, and propane fire pits.

“Sheriff Dan Covault said, “Data from our regional, state, and federal fire and weather partners make it very clear that conditions warrant moving to Stage 2 fire restrictions. The safety of our citizens, visitors, and land is priority
one.”

Remember, it is your responsibility to know fire restriction status in areas you plan on traveling to or recreating or camping in. Check appropriate websites and “know before you go.”

Please do your part and maintain vigilance to help prevent wildfires!

06/23/2026

The secondary draw for remaining big game limited licenses is open! The deadline for applications is 8:00 p.m. on June 30th.

If you need assistance applying for the secondary draw, we will have a dedicated staff member here at the Montrose Office on June 29 and 30 from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. both days. (We will be closed from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. for lunch.)

Find the licenses available in the secondary draw and more information here:

Hunters who didn't draw a license in the primary draw still have the opportunity to draw a license in the secondary draw. Most elk, deer, pronghorn and bear licenses not issued through the primary draw are available in a secondary draw. The secondary draw is open to anyone, whether they applied for....

06/11/2026

Bear sighting season is in full swing in our area! We have gotten several calls about bears getting into trash and bird feeders in places we wouldn't normally consider "bear country". In this dry summer, we expect to see bears coming into places they normally avoid while they search for food. The smell of bird seed, suet, trash, and pet food can lure a bear from miles away! Please help us keep bears safe by implementing some of these Bear Wise best practices:

Attract Only Birds
Every year in Colorado, we have the joy of viewing many types of “backyard” birds at bird feeders. Many people don't realize that bird feeders (seed, suet and hummingbird) are also very attractive to bears. Once bears discover bird feeders, they will visit every home in the area looking for more. To avoid causing problems in your neighborhood, remove all bird feeders from April-November when bears are most active. Use these ideas to attract birds year-round:
• Water features and birdbaths give birds a reason to visit. Birds are always looking for the things they need to survive, including a reliable source of water.
• Native gardening is a great way to attract many different types of birds and other native wildlife like butterflies and native bees. Native gardens also require less water and maintenance once established.
• Flower pots or container gardening is a great option if you are not the gardening type. Birds will be just as interested in visiting a flower in a pot as they would be to one in the ground. For hummingbirds, plant red, orange or pink flowers with a tubular shape.
• Birds need a safe place to raise their young. Add a nest box to your backyard landscape, giving birds a reason to stay.

05/20/2026

LEAVE 👏 YOUNG 👏 WILDLIFE 👏 ALONE 👏

Our office is getting a ton of calls with people concerned about young wildlife born this spring. Baby raccooons, baby birds, fox kits, ducklings and goslings...all of them are better off without human intervention.

As humans, we understand that our instinct is often to try to help. But the reality is that wildlife moms are the best moms for wildlife. Interfering risks animals inprinting on humans and not being able to return to the wild.

A reminder that wildlife moms often leave their young behind as they search out food. It helps keep their babies safe from predators and other dangers they aren't ready to face yet. Moms then return and will move their family out.

Please check the link for more info on when you should and shouldn't call CPW and when you should and shouldn't worry about young wildlife.

Home News Releases Spring wildlife reminder: Young animals need space, not rescue Spring wildlife reminder: Young animals need space, not rescue Statewide Share: Bridget O'Rourke Statewide Public Information Officer 720-219-2919 [email protected] Spring wildlife reminder: Young animals nee...

05/07/2026

Anyone in the mood for a wildlife rehab success story? We got ALL the angles of this release.

Check out this bobcat we took in as an oprhaned kitten. It was discovered alone eating on a carcass for a few days, but its mom never appeared. So, we stepped in and took it to our Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility in Del Norte, where we've had success rehabbing bobcat kittens in the past.

Last week, this bobcat was ready to return to the wild. We picked it back up and released it into great habitat here outside of Montrose.

It was amazing to see how big it had gotten since that initial intake photo.

Thanks to all involved in the care of this animal, including Frisco Creek facility manager Michael Sirochman who does such a great job caring for animals and giving them a second chance at a wild life.