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Colorado

Read stories of how we're working to protect Colorado's lands and waters.

Learn More About our Work and the People Behind It

Get an insider's look at the Conservancy's work in Colorado. Whether you're interested in taking a virtual journey to places far away or the latest research findings from our science team, this page has something for everyone. Happy exploring!

Child Nature Drawing 215x143Nature drawing © Kaitlin, 5th Grade
Nature Resolutions

Fifth-grade students in Vail tell us what resolutions they're making for nature this year. Learn what kids are doing to help protect nature

Colorado Tim SullivanTim Sullivan © Jim Steinberg Photography
Words From Tim

Colorado’s State Director Tim Sullivan shares his thoughts on the resilience of nature and people in the Denver Post.

Colorado CFLR Project: Cody NeffThrough the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration project, Cody Neff helps people who help forests in Colorado. © TNC Staff
Meet Cody Neff

The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative is helping people help forests.

Dollar Lakes at Medano-Zapata Ranch in Colorado, United StatesDollar Lakes at Medano-Zapata Ranch in Colorado, United States © Harold E. Malde
5 Things You Can Do

Make a resolution for nature in Colorado this year! Check out these ways you can “go green” in 2013.

Colorado River North ForkNorth Fork of the Gunnison River in Paonia, CO © Tim Palmer
Colorado River Study

A first-of-its-kind, whole basin look at the future of the Colorado River in the face of population growth and climate change. Read about the Colorado River study

Jenni Mullins 215x143Jenni Mullins at Shoshoni Peak © Jenni Mullins
The Gift of Colorado

For Jenni Mullins, Colorado is a gift she cherishes every day, year after year. Learn more

Wildland fire module 215x143The Nature Conservancy’s Southern Rockies Wildland Fire Module at work. © TNC
One for the Record Books

After one of Colorado's most severe fire seasons, our urgent need to restore forests. Learn about the record setting fire season

Dana ShawDana Shaw moves cattle on his Colorado ranch. © Dana Shaw
Protecting the Prairie

A Colorado ranching family works with us to safeguard a home on the prairie for people and nature.

Colorado LEAF Intern 215x143Colorado's LEAF interns share some laughs on The Nature Conservancy's Carpenter Ranch. © Audrey Wolk/TNC
LEAF Interns in Action

This summer, New York high school students experience life on Colorado's Carpenter Ranch. Read about LEAF interns

Heather Knight 215x143Heather Knight started as a volunteer for The Nature Conservancy in 1994. Today she serves as our Laramie Foothill Project Director in Colorado, and helps manage the Conservancy’s Phantom Canyon Ranch Preserve. © TNC
Phantom Canyon Faces the Flames

As fires burned from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs, our Laramie Foothills Project Director shares her thoughts on the Front Range fires.

Nature's Plate: Logo2012 Nature's Plate Award © TNC
2012 Nature's Plate Award Winners Named

Congratulations to our Nature's Plate Award winner: Boulder’s Dushanbe Teahouse!

Colorado River Summit PortageThe Dolores River's low water levels make for tricky navigating. © TNC
Paddling to the Colorado River Summit

A bumpy journey down the Colorado River reminds conservation partners why it's all worthwhile. Read the story

Colorado River Loop"The Loop" of the Colorado River © Peter McBridge
Watered Down

Can the mighty Colorado reach the sea? Learn more about the state of this important river and how the Conservancy is working across 7 states and 2 countries to protect it.

Ranch Kids 215x143Two kids on the family ranch. © iStockphoto/Andrew Rich
The Family Ranch: Stories from the Field

In the western U.S., family ranches — places where three generations often work together — are disappearing. What's the Conservancy doing about it in Colorado?

Wind Turbines 240x160wind turbines © ali_pk
The Power of Collaboration

In eastern Colorado’s windy prairie, the Conservancy convened a group to make wildlife-friendly recommendations for wind development. Learn more

Vienna VitekProceeds from hand-painted cards by Vienna Vitek have been donated to The Nature Conservancy's Adopt an Acre program. © Courtesy Vienna Vitek
Young Artist Gives Back

A 16-year-old Colorado native is using her talents to protect nature far from home. Learn more

San Juan wildflowers 490x250San Juan wildflowers © John Fielder
Year in Review 2011

Learn how people plus conservation equaled big results in Colorado this year! Read more

Colorado BisonBison are roaming again on The Nature Conservancy's Zapata Ranch. © Chris Pague/TNC
Where the Buffalo Roam, Again!

Bison are making a comeback on the Conservancy's Zapata Ranch. Learn more

Brett Gray Ranch Bio BlitzVolunteers and scientists work together to discover what's living on Colorado's Brett Gray Ranch. © Carrie Langford/TNC
Bio Blitz

Scientists, ranchers and young kids work together to take stock of life on the prairie. Learn more

Colorado Leaf Intern 215x143Raymond Rodriguez was selected from the High School of Environmental Studies in New York City to be part of TNC's LEAF internship program this summer. © Erika Nortemann/TNC
Leaders for the Future

Three teens from the Big Apple head to Colorado for an adventure in nature. Learn more

Colorado Winship RanchersLandowners of the joint Winship Ranch project in eastern Colorado's sweeping grasslands. © TNC
Great Days for Grasslands

Large, complex projects a win-win for ranching families and eastern Colorado grasslands. Learn more

Taylor HawesTaylor Hawes, director of the Conservancy's Colorado River Program. © Jim Steinberg Photography
Colorado is My Place

Finding connections between local people and the Colorado River. Learn more

WOPA071029_D109 2011-03-29 215x143September 29, 2007 - San Luis Valley, Colorado. A rainbow arches over the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve as the last of the day's light fades from the sky. The Nature Conservancy's Zapata Ranch borders the national park, and is comprised of 103,000 acres of high desert grasslands for cattle and bison herds as well as guest accommodations. Photographed during TNC's Fall Foliage Naturalist Workshop with Wendy Shattil and Bob Rozinski. © Erika Nortemann/TNC
2010 Year in Review

Celebrate conservation highlights from the past year. Learn More

TarantulaClose view of a tarantula spider on a rocky canyon wall in the lower Purgatoire river area of southeast Colorado. © Chris Pague/TNC
Spooky Science

Get up close and personal with some of Colorado's creepy critters. Learn More

John SandersonConservancy in Colorado's Center for Conservation Science and Strategy. He also manages the chapter's freshwater program. © Ronnie Estelle
Q&A with John Sanderson

Meet the co-director of our Colorado Center for Science and Strategy and manager of our freshwater work. Read more

Colorado rare plant, Pagosa skyrocketOne of Colorado's rare plants, the Pagosa skyrocket. © Colorado Natural Heritage Program
Rare Plants of Colorado

Conservation planner Betsy Neely talks about the power of partnerships and why our rare plants are in peril.

Colorado Conservation PartnershipThe Colorado Conservation Partnership is an unprecedented collaboration to benefit the state's lands and waters. © Christine Broda-Bahm/TNC
Colorado Conservation Partnership

Five conservation organizations, 100 partners and one vision for conservation. Learn more

WOPA070514_D034 2011-02-18 215x143Barbed wire fence across the broad grasslands of The Nature Conservancy's Steels Fork Ranch. The 23,300 acre Steels Fork Ranch (formerly Smith Ranch) located in Colorado's Lincoln County is a living legacy to Colorado ranching and prairie heritage. The ranch was purchased by The Nature Conservancy in 2007 to be transferred to the State Land Board, creating a 49,061 acre working cattle ranch in conjunction with their existing, adjacent holdings. © Mark Godfrey/TNC
Brett Gray Ranch

A young ranching family finds home on the prairie. Read story

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Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

Explore Related Content

Volunteer

Roll up your sleeves and help the Conservancy while meeting others who love nature. Learn more

Fire and Forest Health

Learn how our Southern Rockies Fire Module is helping forests—by burning them. Read more