Nature photography goes beyond just an art form — it’s a sport. Similar to other extreme sports like rock climbing, fishing, hunting and biking, outdoor photography can require expensive gear, lots of preplanning, enduring harsh weather conditions, patience, and a passion for our outdoors and mindful conservation.
Whether you are the photographic equivalent of a pro athlete or just a weekend warrior, with Colorado’s more than 960 wildlife species and its breathtaking landscapes, there is exquisite beauty all around, just waiting to be captured.
Photographers chase the thrill and adrenaline rush of capturing a natural scene in its purest form while also trying to find creative and exciting ways for the photos to entertain and evoke emotions in us. This can range from capturing a wild animal walking through your backyard or capturing a sunset at a certain angle on a mountain peak.
I applaud the landscape photographers who get up at 4 a.m. to hike challenging trails with heavy gear so they can shoot at golden hour and the wildlife photographers who buy long lenses to ensure they give wildlife the space they need to act naturally, while also allowing the photographer to capture beautiful portraits or funny interactions.
On behalf of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), I want to thank all the photographers who submitted photographs for this issue and for sharing the magic of nature with us. Your photos help transport us to new outdoor spaces and see how wildlife interact with each other.
Nature enriches our lives, which is why keeping Colorado wild for current and future generations is an essential part of CPW’s mission and a core value among many Coloradans.
The year 2023 proved to be a monumental year for Colorado state park and wildlife programs. In 2023, Colorado Parks and Wildlife launched the Keep Colorado Wild Pass, which raised more than $40 million that will be used for park improvement projects and to support search and rescue teams and avalanche safety programs. CPW also spearheaded efforts to implement steps outlined in the Colorado Wolf Management and Restoration Plan to capture and release gray wolves back onto Colorado landscapes. These accomplishments are a testament to Coloradans’ desire to serve as active stewards of our natural resources and to see our statewide outdoor programs survive and thrive.
As you marvel at the many stunning images captured in this year’s photo issue, I hope you enjoy seeing what makes Colorado so special and why investing in and protecting our natural resources and wildlife is an important part of the outdoor lifestyle we cherish.
This year Colorado Parks and Wildlife saw the highest number of photo submissions for this issue, which is a wonderful showing from our outdoor community.
While thousands of other photos weren’t selected, each of those images captures a unique slice of Colorado’s beauty and a memory to share.
Bridget O’Rourke
CPW Statewide Information Officer
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