Current Events

Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Plan

The Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Plan was prepared by the Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Committee and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Gunnison County, Colorado on February 17, 2009. The Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Plan will assist with conservation efforts of the Gunnison Sage-grouse by identifying key stakeholders, defining a vision, a mission, strategies, objectives and encourage the development of an Action Plan (completed by the Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Committee and approved by the Board of County Commissioners 10/20/2009) to complete these tasks defined in this Plan within a specific timeframe. History of previous actions, research performed and references to documents used in development of the Strategic Plan are also included.

3/19/2012 PRESS RELEASE: 2nd Annual Gunnison Sage-grouse Festival

• FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES: Bring your family to a morning & afternoon of fun with interactive exhibits from agencies & conservation organizations, live music, chili lunch, art, nature slideshow (Sage Spirit: Future of the American West), onstage dog-training seminar, Gunnison Sage-grouse & OHV conservation videos, field volunteer signup opps & more!
• KIDS: Enjoy kids’ craft stations and giveaways, face painting, photo opps with Smokey Bear & Elbert Ram, and a ‘Let’s Get Outside’ Kids 1500 race Free for kids 14 & under (and their parents), with kids’ prizes for top placeholders.
• ATHLETIC EVENTS: Don’t miss three great athletic events (click here for a PDF of the event map)including a 5k run/walk on a jogger-stroller-friendly mixed-surface course; a 10k run single lap around Gunnison; and a multi-lap mountain bike race on trails behind Mountaineer Bowl (weather & conditions permitting) with points counting towards the 2012 growler series. These 3 events are $25 including an event t-shirt & lunch. Kids 12 & under are free with a guardian waiver. Proceeds benefit Gunnison Sage-grouse conservation education and conservation efforts on local private & public lands.
• LIVE RAPTORS! Meet live Colorado native birds of prey visiting from the Nature & Raptor Center of Pueblo.
• PHOTO WORKSHOP: Half-day nature photo workshop with acclaimed conservation photographer Dave Showalter.
• DOG OWNERS: Learn how obedient your dogs really are to your voice commands by bringing them to our dog agility & distraction courses with Waggin’ Tails & K-9 Training. Later, join Drew onstage for a dog-training & equipment demo.
• WHEN & WHERE: The 2012 Gunnison Sage-grouse Festival will be held Saturday April 14 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Western State College Center.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION: Look for detailed 4-page event programs with course maps, schedules & registration information inserted into the Wed. April 4 Gunnison Country Shopper & the Thurs. April 5 Gunnison Country Times.

Antler Shed Season

On January 12, 2009 the Colorado Wildlife Commission approved amendments to the shed antler collection regulations in Game Management Units (GMU) 54, 55, 551, 66 and 67 (the upper Gunnison River basin). The new regulations prohibit the collection of shed antlers on public lands in these GMUs from January 1 to March 14 annually. From March 15 to May 15 annually, the collection of shed antlers on public lands is prohibited from legal sunset to 10am daily.

Lek Map 2007

On November 6, 2007 the BOCC adopted the 2007 Private Lands Lek Map. Copies of this map are available at the Wildlife ConservationCoordinator's Office which is located in the County Administration Office. Please Contact Jim Cochran at 970-641-7604.  

Resolution #2007-17

On April 3rd, 2007 the BOCC adopted Resolution 2007-17, a Resolution Amending Section 11-106: Protection of Wildlife Habitat Areas, and Related Sections of the Gunnison County Land Use Resolution, and Replacing the Temporary Regulations for Gunnison County Land Use Change, Access, Reclamation, Individual Sewage Disposal System or Building Permits on Lands Located Wholly or Partially Within a 0.60 Mile Radius of a Gunnison Sage-grouse Lek, or Located Wholly or Partially Within Gunnison Sage-grouse Occupied Habitat. Click here to view Resolution 2007-17. PLEASE NOTE: The underlined language in this resolution is the new language and the struck through language is the deleted language.

Resolution #2007-09

On January 23, 2007 the BOCC adopted Resolution 2007-09, a Resolution Authorizing Temporary Closure of Certain Roads Within the County of Gunnison, Colorado for Protection of Gunnison Sage Grouse. This will supercede Resolution 2006-19. The new resolution changes the re-opening date from Memorial Day Weekend to May 15th. To view this Resolution, click on Resolutions & Regulations in the left column.

Pre-Application Conference Request Form

Click here for a pre-application conference request form. This form is to request a pre-application conference with the Community Development Department, the Wildlife Conservation Coordinator and DOW for LUC, ISDS, Access and Building permits. To view the Community Development Department's web-page, please click on Community Development in the Departments box in the left margin.

This request form can be faxed to the Community Development Department at 970-641-8585 or mailed to them at 221 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison CO 81230.

Private Land Projects

Over 30% of the important sage-grouse habitat within the Upper Gunnison River Basin is located on private lands. Though the ranching community has been involved with Gunnison Sage-grouse issues for many years, a number of new landowners have asked what they can do to help. Any interested landowners who may want to improve habitat for Gunnison Sage-grouse (GUSG) on their lands are welcome to call Jim Cochran at 641-7604. He is available to answer landowner’s questions regarding possible projects, the implications to a landowner, and assist landowners in determining if a property has important sage-grouse habitat on it and how it might be improved to benefit this unique bird.

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