Colorado Parks and Wildlife - Montrose

06/11/2026

Bear sighting season is in full swing in our area! We have gotten several calls about bears getting into trash and bird feeders in places we wouldn't normally consider "bear country". In this dry summer, we expect to see bears coming into places they normally avoid while they search for food. The smell of bird seed, suet, trash, and pet food can lure a bear from miles away! Please help us keep bears safe by implementing some of these Bear Wise best practices:

Attract Only Birds
Every year in Colorado, we have the joy of viewing many types of “backyard” birds at bird feeders. Many people don't realize that bird feeders (seed, suet and hummingbird) are also very attractive to bears. Once bears discover bird feeders, they will visit every home in the area looking for more. To avoid causing problems in your neighborhood, remove all bird feeders from April-November when bears are most active. Use these ideas to attract birds year-round:
• Water features and birdbaths give birds a reason to visit. Birds are always looking for the things they need to survive, including a reliable source of water.
• Native gardening is a great way to attract many different types of birds and other native wildlife like butterflies and native bees. Native gardens also require less water and maintenance once established.
• Flower pots or container gardening is a great option if you are not the gardening type. Birds will be just as interested in visiting a flower in a pot as they would be to one in the ground. For hummingbirds, plant red, orange or pink flowers with a tubular shape.
• Birds need a safe place to raise their young. Add a nest box to your backyard landscape, giving birds a reason to stay.

05/20/2026

LEAVE 👏 YOUNG 👏 WILDLIFE 👏 ALONE 👏

Our office is getting a ton of calls with people concerned about young wildlife born this spring. Baby raccooons, baby birds, fox kits, ducklings and goslings...all of them are better off without human intervention.

As humans, we understand that our instinct is often to try to help. But the reality is that wildlife moms are the best moms for wildlife. Interfering risks animals inprinting on humans and not being able to return to the wild.

A reminder that wildlife moms often leave their young behind as they search out food. It helps keep their babies safe from predators and other dangers they aren't ready to face yet. Moms then return and will move their family out.

Please check the link for more info on when you should and shouldn't call CPW and when you should and shouldn't worry about young wildlife.

Home News Releases Spring wildlife reminder: Young animals need space, not rescue Spring wildlife reminder: Young animals need space, not rescue Statewide Share: Bridget O'Rourke Statewide Public Information Officer 720-219-2919 [email protected] Spring wildlife reminder: Young animals nee...

05/07/2026

Anyone in the mood for a wildlife rehab success story? We got ALL the angles of this release.

Check out this bobcat we took in as an oprhaned kitten. It was discovered alone eating on a carcass for a few days, but its mom never appeared. So, we stepped in and took it to our Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility in Del Norte, where we've had success rehabbing bobcat kittens in the past.

Last week, this bobcat was ready to return to the wild. We picked it back up and released it into great habitat here outside of Montrose.

It was amazing to see how big it had gotten since that initial intake photo.

Thanks to all involved in the care of this animal, including Frisco Creek facility manager Michael Sirochman who does such a great job caring for animals and giving them a second chance at a wild life.

04/22/2026

Our phones are down at the Montrose office.

Gunnison (970-641-7060) and Durango (970-247-0855) are on line! If you have a need, they can get a message to our front desk or our Officers.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and we thank you for your patience.

04/17/2026

We are seeing snow and below freezing temps across our Area today!

Just like fruits and crops used for human food, late spring freezes can impact the availability of food for wildlife later in the year. Our District Wildlife Managers are in the field throughout the year, keeping an eye on the conditions on the ground for a multitude of wildlife species.

Mid day today a staff member observed this female northern flicker at Ridgway State Park. Flickers often forage on the ground for ants and worms. The flicker didn’t seem to mind being watched for a while, and the staff member was able to back out to avoid flushing the bird away from a high value food source.

04/13/2026

Catchable Rainbow Trout Stocking Report - April 13, 2026

The following waters were stocked with catchable rainbow trout in the last two weeks :
Chipeta Lake
Olathe Kids Pond
Billy Creek Lake
Ridgway Reservoir

Enjoy the fishing opportunity and the spring weather!

Did you know that sportspeople pay for all fishery management in Colorado? Because CPW does not receive general tax dollars to fund its fish hatcheries and conservation programs, these efforts are paid for, almost exclusively, by hunters and anglers through Habitat Stamp purchases and license sales. Proceeds from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) also help to support Colorado’s fishing resources.

You can find a weekly report updated each Friday at this link:
https://cpw.state.co.us/activities/fishing/fishing-awards-and-records/fish-stocking-report

04/11/2026

Happy turkey season opening day!

May your calls be raspy and the gobbles be close!

Good luck to all of our hunters taking to the field this season! Whether you harvest or not, your license dollars contribute to conservation in Colorado.

04/07/2026

We have to chew-se our words carefully, because we could log some serious pun time celebrating International Beaver Day!

But we are gnawt here for the drama, just to give a bit of advice:
"Work hard, chew harder."
- A beaver (probably)

04/07/2026

The phones are back up! The website is working!
The final draw applications are going in furiously!

We appreciate your patience with us and our incredible staff while we work through some of our highest-volume customer service days of the year. We know that these hunting traditions and activities mean a LOT to you- they mean everything to us, too.

Make sure your applications are in BEFORE 8:00 p.m. tonight so you don't miss out on the primary draw!

04/06/2026

Our phones are down at the Montrose Office.

We are so sorry for the inconvenience on these important days and are working to get it fixed! We are here at the office to help you in person if you can make it.

As of 2:50 pm: Gunnison and Durango offices may be able to receive calls but cannot call out.

You can buy/apply over the phone at 800-244-5613. Expect long queues as everyone gets in before the deadline.