DOW lists bounty of achievements
Colorado's wildlife managers compiled an impressive list of accomplishments last year, including an overhaul of state fishing regulations dominated by a reduction in the statewide trout bag limit from eight to four fish.
Unfortunately, anglers dutifully buying their 2001 licenses temporarily have been left in the dark about the changes. Because Colorado's wildlife commissioners didn't vote on new fishing regulations until November, the regulations booklet that usually accompanies fishing licenses won't roll off the presses until late January.
"With all the changes that were made, we delayed the commission's final action. So basically we lost our spot in line with the printer," said Dale Lashnits, the Division of Wildlife's public information officer.
Meanwhile, the new regulations are soon to be posted on the division's Web site,
www.dnr.state.co.us/wildlife.
In its Year in Review report, the agency credits itself with the following accomplishments and a few more during 2000:
The Finger Rock Rearing Unit near Yampa tested negative for whirling disease after renovations, which were part of an ongoing $13 million effort to refurbish the state's 18 hatcheries.
Efforts to restore native cutthroat trout continued, with 30,000 Rio Grande cutthroat fingerlings stocked in the Rio Grande basin during 2000. There are now 76 self-sustaining populations of Rio Grande cutthroats, 22 of greenbacks and 125 of Colorado River cutthroats.
A revitalized urban fishing program has targeted for public access 32 lakes in the Denver metro area, 87 gravel pits and ponds along the northern Front Range, 16 streams and some lakes in the foothills.
Nonresident big-game hunting-license fees were increased to levels comparable with other states. Wildlife commissioners also promised that resident hunters will be guaranteed at least 60 percent of deer and elk drawing licenses.
More than 400 youth fishing clinics were conducted, teaching 20,000 youths to fish. In the Denver area, 7,200 inner-city youngsters participated in 80 of the clinics.
The division offered 5-8 watchable-wildlife public workshops monthly.
Division law officers filed more than 4,000 citations for wildlife violations.
Columbian sharp-tailed grouse continued to respond to habitat projects in Routt and Moffat counties. The division found 81 new grouse leks in 2000, in addition to 77 leks already known, and opposes efforts to list the birds as endangered.
Commissioners closed hunting seasons for black-tailed prairie dogs and offered landowners financial incentives to preserve short-grass prairie, heading off an endangered listing for the rodents.
The agency released 55 more Canada lynx, which are on the federal endangered list. Ninety-six lynx have been released since 1999, and biologists are tracking 69 of them. No more releases are planned.
Imperiled boreal toads received a boost from the new $6 million species restoration hatchery near Alamosa. The first of its kind in the nation, the hatchery is dedicated to raising threatened and endangered fish, amphibians and mollusks.
The division's Wetlands Initiative protected 14,000 acres of wetlands and 85,000 acres adjacent habitat. Purchases, easements and leases protected another 9,200 acres.
Show time — The new Denver Fly Fishing Show will launch the annual outdoors show season this weekend at the Denver Merchandise Mart, 58th Avenue. The show will run 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission costs $10.
Coming soon to the Colorado Convention Center: The 11th Colorado RV Adventure Travel Show, Jan. 10-13; the Denver Sportsmen's Show, Jan. 17-21; The Denver International Sportsmen's Expo, Feb. 22-25.
The 44th RV, Sports, Boat & Travel Show will run Feb. 28-March 4 at the National Western Complex.
Contact Ed Dentry at (303) 892-5481 or sports@RockyMountainNews.com.
January 5, 2001
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DOW lists bounty of achievements 
