Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites Indigenous and American Indian community members to listening sessions

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) invites Indigenous and American Indian community members to statewide listening sessions to gather experiences, priorities and perspectives that will help guide the future of Colorado state parks.

“These listening sessions are about meeting Indigenous and American Indian community members where they are at and hearing directly from those who use and value our state parks,” said Tim Mauck, Deputy Director of Operations for CPW. “The insights gathered at the Listening Sessions will help us better understand what’s working, what needs improvement and how we can better serve communities across the state.”

The listening sessions are designed to create open, welcoming spaces for community members to share what matters most to them in Colorado state parks. This effort originated from a combination of internal CPW leadership and staff discussions evaluating Tribal and community relations, the commencement of the American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee, and advancement of outreach and engagement efforts related to HB 25-1163, where CPW committed to build upon existing efforts to deepen engagement with and gain clearer insights into what Indigenous and American Indian community members value, need and hope to collaborate with CPW on regarding state parks. Key themes and topics across all sessions will be discussed and evaluated to inform future opportunities for collaboration and decision-making.

“We recognize that public lands are not neutral spaces,” said Stacy Coleman, Assistant Director of Tribal Affairs for Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources. “They are Indigenous homelands, and acknowledging that truth is an important step toward more equitable stewardship and shared responsibility for these places.”

Colorado’s state parks exist on ancestral lands to which Indigenous people maintain deeply rooted and ongoing connections. These listening sessions acknowledge that history and are part of an ongoing effort to listen, learn and build more respectful, inclusive relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities.

“Colorado’s state parks belong to everyone, but they carry different histories and meanings for different communities,” said CPW Acting Director Laura Clellan. “By listening to a wide range of experiences and perspectives, we can make more informed decisions that reflect the needs, values and priorities of the people connected to these lands.”

All sessions are free and open to the public, with priority given to Indigenous and American Indian people. Light refreshments and food will be provided, along with simple activities for children, making it easier for families to participate comfortably.

Dates and Locations

• Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
  Colorado State University
  Lory Student Center, Longs Peak Room 302
  1101 Center Ave Mall, Fort Collins, CO 80521
• Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. 
  Colorado Mesa University,
  Dominguez Hall 104
  1248 Houston Ave Grand Junction CO 81501
• Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
  Fort Lewis College
  Student Union 103, Vallecito Room
  1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301
• Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. 
  Durango Library
  Room 1
  1900 E 3rd Ave, Durango, CO 81301
• Monday, Feb. 9 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  Roaring Fork Dining Hall, Kettle Creek Room 108
  4785 Stanton Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
• Thursday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
  Auraria Campus
  Tivoli Student Union, Room 320 Baerresen Ballroom Tivoli
  900 Auraria Pkwy Denver, CO 80204
• Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. 
  Denver Indian Center
  4407 Morrison Rd, Denver, CO 80219

For more information, visit cpw.info/listening.