2022-12-03 07:52:39
1. Go Spotting Spy our official state creatures as you travel around: STATE ANIMAL: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Found in high-mountain terrain, including Browns Canyon National Monument (near Buena Vista); Guanella Pass scenic and historic byway (near Georgetown); Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area (near Penrose); Natural Arch (near Del Norte). STATE REPTILE: painted turtle. Found close to the shoreline of ponds, marshes and small lakes. Some ideas: Jackson Lake State Park (near Orchard); St. Vrain State Park (near Firestone); Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge (Arvada). STATE BIRD: lark bunting. Found on the eastern plains and up to 8,000 feet in elevation. Good opportunities include the shade trees in town in Kit Carson as well as from the Big Sandy Creek bridge, Terry Ranch (north of La Junta), Pawnee National Grassland (near Grover). NATIONAL MAMMAL: American bison. The continent’s largest mammal is an important part of Colorado’s tribal and frontier past. Some ideas: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (Denver), Genesee Park right off I-70 (Golden), Soapstone Prairie Natural Area (near Fort Collins). 2. Follow a Birding Trail Colorado is home to 450 different avian species, many of which are found in the ecosystems east of the Rockies. Lone falcons share the sky with droves of white-throated swifts, owls snooze in hollowed trees and prairie chickens strut through stretches of golden shortgrass. Colorado.com/Birding & coloradobirdingtrail.com 3. Attend a Wildlife Festival Nearly 30 festivals are held each year celebrating furry and feathery friends: Cedaredge’s Grand Mesa Moose Day (July), Georgetown’s Big Horn Sheep Festival (Nov.), Lamar’s High Plains Snow Goose Festival (Feb.), Karval Mountain Plover Festival (March), Marmot Festival in Pine (June) and many more. Colorado.com/Events 4. Take a Ranger-Led Tour With eight national wildlife refuges, four national parks, nine national monuments, 41 national wilderness areas, 43 state parks and nearly 350 state wildlife areas, you’re bound to find a ranger tour to lead you through wildlife-friendly areas no matter where your trip takes you. cpw.state.co.us Few places in North America offer such a bounty of wildlife watching. KEEP WILDLIFE WILD It’s important to keep a safe distance from the animals. Remembering never to feed, pet, chase or harass them will ensure you and the fauna stay safe and healthy.
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