Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program Requests 2016 Proposals

Courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife

DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to request proposals for the 2016 Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program (CWHPP). Application materials are available today and may be submitted through May 31 at 5 p.m.

CWHPP is a state-wide program which supports CPW’s mission by offering funding opportunities to private landowners who wish to voluntarily protect important wildlife habitats on their property, and/or provide sustainable wildlife-related recreational access to the public.

A conservation partnership with Great Outdoors Colorado and revenue generated from the sale of habitat stamps means more than $9 million is available this year for qualified projects.

CPW Land Protection Specialist Matt Lucia, who coordinates CWHPP, has advice for applicants.

“Applicants are encouraged to contact their local CPW Area Wildlife Manager for assistance describing the wildlife and habitat values accurately and to discuss the merits of their proposal,” said Lucia.

Merit is based upon the applicants addressing one or more of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission’s (PWC) priorities:

• Protection of big game winter range and migration corridors,
• Acquiring public access for wildlife-related recreation (including fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing),
• Protection of habitat for species of concern (including Species of Greatest Conservation Need which are identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan), and
• Preserving wildlife diversity.

PWC reviews proposals and issues final award decisions. Successful applicants will be notified following the November PWC meeting.

All application materials, including the proposal instructions and the proposal form, are available at http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/LandWaterCWHPP.aspx. Email completed proposals to: Wildlife.RealEstateProposals@state.co.us. The submission will be confirmed with an email acknowledging receipt of the proposal.

Landowners are encouraged to develop a clear vision of the future of their property prior to submitting their proposal. All conservation easement projects funded through the CWHPP must have an accompanying management plan agreed upon by the landowner and CPW prior to closing of the project.

“Applicants should consult their legal and financial advisors when contemplating any real estate transaction associated with the CWHPP,” recommends Lucia.

All projects involving conservation easements are required to be monitored annually. Under Colorado law, terms of the transaction become a matter of public record after the project is completed and closed. Applicants should be aware that after a project is closed, information about the transaction, including funding amounts, may be used by CPW for internal planning and public information purposes. All real estate transactions in this program are subject to an appraisal to verify value.

CWHPP utilizes conservation easements, access easements, and in limited circumstances, fee-title purchases to accomplish strategic wildlife conservation goals and/or public access goals. Priority is given to proposals for conservation easements and public-access easements over fee-title purchases (per CPW Policy and Title 33-4-102.7 C.R.S.)

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