Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program (CWHPP): 2016 RFP

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission March 10, 2016

Opportunities for private landowners to voluntarily protect important wildlife habitat, provide wildlife-related recreational access to the public, and, in limited circumstances, sell their property to CPW. Landowners (or Land Trust sponsors) may apply for funding through the Request for Proposals (RFP) process per Title 33-1-105 CRS. Real Estate Transactions:

• Conservation Easements • Public Access Easements • Fee Title Purchases (limited circumstances)

Funding: Cooperative agreement with GOCO (lottery proceeds) & license revenue generated by the sale of Habitat Stamps (Title 33-4-102.7 CRS). Priorities for use of GOCO funds are provided in the cooperative Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Priorities for use of Habitat Stamp funds include:

• Protecting big game winter range and migration corridors • Acquiring public access for wildlife related recreation (including hunting, fishing, & wildlife viewing) • Protecting habitat for species of concern • Preserving species diversity

Achieve multiple goals in SWAP and CPW Strategic Plan –

• Build collaborative conservation partnerships

• Conserve wildlife and habitat to ensure healthy sustainable populations and ecosystems

• Increase awareness and trust for CPW

• Connect people to Colorado’s outdoors Support CPW Mission - “To perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, provide a quality state parks system, and provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.”

CPW Staff Scoring, Ranking, & Recommendations Strategic Conservation Impacts Habitat Quality & Biological Significance Public Benefits Conservation Priority Species Project Feasibility

Real Estate Staff, Leadership Team/Director • Evaluate proposals from statewide perspective. • Provide recommendation to PWC for approval.

HSC Scoring & Recommendations Legislative Mandates: Protection of big game winter range/migration corridors; Public access for wildlife-related recreation; Protection of habitat for special status species; Preserving diversity of wildlife.

PWC - Final Approval: November

PWC – First Round Approval: September

Other Funding Sources (i.e., Federal, other state, grants, etc.)

~ $5.1 M

~ $4.2 M

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2015 Application dates: May 1 – June 5 Priorities: • Big game winter range/migration corridors • Riparian areas/wetlands • Hunting access • Fishing access • In-holdings

2016 Application dates: May 1 – May 31 Priorities: • Big game winter range/migration corridors • Acquiring public access to wildlife related recreation (including hunting, fishing, & wildlife viewing) • Protecting habitat for species of concern • Preserving diversity of wildlife