By Steven Bonifazi
(DENVER, Colo.) Colorado Parks and Wildlife has teamed up with the Colorado Tourism Office and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to advance #CareForColorado week from May 15 through May 22 to teach Coloradans and visitors ways to responsibly recreate and conserve the state's natural resources.
The collaboration will work to honor Colorado Public Lands Day which took place Saturday while simultaneously providing a chance for locals and tourists to learn about the ways they can protect and conserve the centennial state's landscapes and outdoor heritage. The week-long campaign consists of a Leave No Trace concept every day of the week to make sure that both newer and more familiar recreationists follow the daily concepts.
“It’s no surprise that Coloradans pride themselves on our outdoor lifestyle and want to keep Colorado wild,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Dan Prenzlow. “As Coloradans, we live life outside - and with that comes the responsibility for all of us to care for Colorado and invest in nature and conservation so our outdoor spaces can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Visitation at parks and wildlife across Colorado has increased over the course of the past five years, with the COVID-19 pandemic increasing the need to discuss expanded human impact at state parks as well as the significance of educating the outdoor community on conservation.
The Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles are as follows:
- Know Before You Go
- Stick To Trails
- Leave It As You Find It
- Trash the Trash
- Be Careful With Fire
- Keep Wildlife Wild
- Share Our Trails and Parks
Additional educational support efforts by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) include having Roxborough State Park, Castlewood Canyon and Barr Lake State Park earn Gold Standard Site designations by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. This designation signifies that the parks have been distinguished in promoting the ethics of Leave No Trace, including plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife and be considerate of other visitors.
The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics joined forces last year to found and launch the Care for Colorado Coalition which now consists of roughly 30 statewide organizations, federal and state agencies committed to teaching Coloradans and visitors to protect the state's natural and cultural resources. CPW became a Stewardship Partner of the coalition last year to aid in educating about the impact humans have on the wildlife and spaces across the state.
“The Colorado Tourism Office is happy to partner with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Leave No Trace in coordinating this second Care for Colorado Week,” said Courtney Frazier, CTO Board Chairperson and director of the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association. “We want everyone who plays in Colorado’s great outdoors to enjoy our wonderful natural resources while practicing “Colorado Style Stewardship” and observing the Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles."
Though the campaign is just a week-long, the organizations are hoping that the campaign will remind locals and state visitors to care for Colorado every day of the year with the goal of sharing the outdoor lifestyle the state offers for future generations.
For more information regarding additional CPW conservation programs, visit here.