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Version 2.0 of the Wetland Wildlife Conservation Program Strategic Plan was finalized in July 2011. The plan articulates the vision, purpose, goals, strategies, and structure of the program. The plan is intended to be dynamic, and periodic updates are anticipated.

Who we are and what we do

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The Wetland Wildlife Conservation Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program to protect wetlands and wetland-dependent wildlife on public and private land.

Since its inception in 1997, the Colorado Wetlands Program has preserved, restored, enhanced or created almost 220,000 acres of wetlands and adjacent habitat and more than  200 miles of streams. The partnership is responsible for almost $40 million in total funding devoted to wetland and riparian preservation in Colorado.

Wetland Program Services

• Funding for all phases of wetland and riparian creation, restoration and enhancement
• Funding for conservation easements and fee-title purchase through Division of Wildlife’s Wildlife Habitat Protection Program
• Wildlife and aquatic resource inventories
• Education and outreach
• Project monitoring and evaluation

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Wetlands are simply lands affected by water, resulting in unique plants and soils. They may be classic cattail areas with a few feet of standing water, areas with very shallow water, or temporary habitats such as playa depressions on the eastern plains that only occasionally have standing water. Riparian areas next to streams that are subject to frequent flooding are also considered wetlands.

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Wetlands comprise less than two percent of Colorado’s landscape but provide benefits to over 75% of the species in the state, including waterfowl and several declining species.

Since the beginning of major settlement activities, Colorado has lost half of its wetlands. By virtue of their position in the landscape, wetlands perform several functions valuable to wildlife and society, including feeding, resting and rearing habitat, movement corridors, groundwater recharge, flood flow alteration, stream bank stabilization, and sediment and nutrient removal. Additional values include open space, education, and economic benefits, such as those from hunting, fishing, and bird watching.