The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will meet in Steamboat Springs on August 24-25 to consider a variety of regulations, including those regarding red swamp crayfish possession and licensing requirements, wolf restoration, and the 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure.

The commission will first consider an extension of the pilot testing of the timed entry reservation system at Eldorado Canyon State Park. The system was implemented in 2022 to help manage visitation and protect natural resources at the park. The commission will also consider updating the property specific regulations for Fishers Peak as the park is developed.

The commission will then open for annual consideration of regulations adjusting license fees and license agent commission rates according to adjustments to the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Consumer Price Index. The commission will also open for annual review of fishing regulations, including removing two special fishing restrictions on the Upper Arkansas River, adopting special condition regulations for artificial flies and regulations for trout fishing on the Upper Square Top Lake, Lover Square Top Lake, Duck Creek to Duck Lake, West Fork Clear Creek, and Williams Gulch, and modifying regulations on the Blue River, Tenmile Creek and Dillon Reservoir in response to a decline in brown trout.

Finally, the commission will consider a number of other agenda items, including updates from the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Colorado Wildlife Council. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting or provide public comment online.

Here are some of the key details of the proposed regulations:

• Red swamp crayfish: The commission will consider a regulation that would prohibit the possession of red swamp crayfish without a permit. Red swamp crayfish are an invasive species that can damage native ecosystems.
• Wolf restoration: The commission will receive an update on the status of wolf restoration in Colorado. The commission will also consider a regulation that would allow for the hunting of wolves in certain areas.
• Big Game Season Structure: The commission will consider a regulation that would establish the 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure. The proposed structure would include a number of changes, including shorter seasons for some species and increased bag limits for others.

The public is encouraged to attend the Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting or provide public comment online. The meeting will be held on August 24-25 at the Steamboat Springs Convention Center. The public comment period will open at 8:30 a.m. on August 24 and close at 12 p.m. on August 25.

The meeting agenda and all materials for the meeting can be found on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. To provide public comment online, visit the CPW website and click on the “Public Comment” tab.

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