The Vision

The ‘Born To Be Wild’ license plate will move hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to Colorado Parks & Wildlife to fund non-lethal conflict reduction programs and tools. The plate will also support research to make those tools more effective.

Rob Edward, Strategic Advisor for the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project states: “We are very proud of the plate that our volunteers created, and grateful for the support of livestock producers, hunters, the bill sponsors and the Polis Administration in securing legislative approval.”

Gary Skiba, Wildlife Program Manager at San Juan Citizens Alliance in Durango, states: “The Born to be Wild license plate is another demonstration of Colorado’s progressive approach to wolf restoration. Our thoughtful approach ensures that we can achieve true coexistence and avoid the conflicts seen in other states.”

The ‘Born to be Wild’ license plate will help to decrease demand from the compensation fund. Preventing conflict with wolves averts the need for loss compensation. Notably, keeping the focus on non-lethal conflict management also decreases the odds of future loss to wolves. Emerging scientific research suggests that wolf packs which experience human-caused loss are more prone to turn to killing livestock than packs that do not have members killed by humans.

​The plate symbolizes Colorado’s forward-thinking commitment to restoring wolves to her vast wildlands. The people of Colorado said they wanted wolves back, and that they wanted to make this work for everyone. The ‘Born To Be Wild’ plate is the physical embodiment of that commitment. It will help ranchers adapt to wolves without putting a dent in their bottom line, while also protecting Colorado’s repatriated wolves.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is charged with balancing the conservation of our wildlife and habitat with the recreational needs of our state. The Future Generations Act passed in 2018 provides specific goals designed to help CPW achieve that balance. CPW’s agency mission is critical and relevant to all Coloradans, and we need the support of all Coloradans in fulfilling this critical work.
​Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s conservation teams aim to nurture healthy landscapes and coexistence between humans and wildlife for generations to come. Through proactive monitoring and surveying, we keep tabs on all species, both those in trouble and those thriving. Preventing endangerment includes careful land use, in-depth research, and cooperative partnerships.

The agency’s proactive approach allows for consideration of all interests and motivations. Planning ahead leaves more room to protect wildlife while maximizing economic opportunities for landowners and industries throughout the state.

Our State Wildlife Action Plan is the guiding document for the conservation teams and for Colorado Parks and Wildlife as a whole as we strive to make all decisions with conservation in mind. It details our greatest conservation needs.

Our highest priority projects aim to mitigate damages to high-risk species and the habitats they rely on. By balancing species-specific needs with policy requirements and broad, habitat-based projects, we can effectively manage all of Colorado’s wildlife. Our comprehensive methods have already seen huge successes, like keeping the Greater Sage-Grouse off of the endangered species list.

We rely on you to help us spread ​the word, participate in citizen science, and contribute to our resource base. Help us protect the landscapes and animals that make Colorado so spectacular. ​​

CPW’s mission is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.

Guided by our conservation principles, this mission encompasses all of CPW’s work — from managing Colorado’s 960 species of wildlife to its more than  state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, as well as management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails​, boating​ and outdoor education. ​​

The opportunities offered by Colorado’s outdoors are almost endless ​but need to be carefully managed in order to protect our natural resources both now and for future generations.​

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is not a 501(c)(3) organization. CPW is a state agency, which has been granted legislative authority to accept and spend gifts and donations from individuals and organizations. See §§ 33-1-105(1)(f)(I)(A), 33-10-107(1)(e)(I)(A), C.R.S. CPW will use donated funds for exclusively public purposes as outlined in the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 170(b)(1)(A)(v), 170(c)(1).

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a state government agency with “enterprise status,” meaning CPW generates more than 90% of its annual funding from sources other than taxes or the state’s general fund. CPW relies primarily on license sales, state parks fees, and registration fees to support its operations and mission.

The governor-appointed group that oversees CPW is the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is a citizen board, appointed by the Governor, which sets regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks and wildlife programs.

The 11 voting members of the commission include three members who are sportspersons, one of whom must be an outfitter; three agricultural producers; three recreationalists, including one from a non-profit, non-consumptive wildlife organization; two at-large members. Members are expected to represent all parks and wildlife-related issues, regardless of their affiliation. A minimum of four commissioners must be from west of the Continental Divide.

The Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources and the Commissioner of Agriculture also serve on the commission as ex-officio members.​