History of Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 6, 2025

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is a state agency responsible for managing Colorado's state parks system and wildlife resources. Its duties encompass overseeing state parks, wildlife areas, and the Colorado Natural Areas Program, ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of Colorado's natural assets for recreation and preservation.

1982: Resolution opposing gray wolf reintroduction passed

In 1982, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission passed a resolution opposing the reintroduction of the gray wolf into Colorado.

1989: Resolution opposing gray wolf reintroduction passed again

In 1989, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission passed another resolution opposing the reintroduction of the gray wolf into Colorado.

2016: Colorado Natural Areas Program has 93 sites

As of 2016, the Colorado Natural Areas Program had 93 designated sites which protected more than 250 endangered, rare, or threatened species.

2016: Proposal to reintroduce the gray wolf rejected

In 2016, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission rejected a proposal to reintroduce the gray wolf, due to concerns about the potential impact on big game and livestock ranching and that the gray wolf population exceeded federal conservation goals.

2017: Division manages 42 state parks and 307 wildlife areas

As of 2017, the division managed 42 state parks and 307 wildlife areas of Colorado.

November 2020: Voters direct commission to restore and manage wolves

In November 2020, a ballot measure directed the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to restore and manage wolves by the end of 2023, in the Western Slope area, and to provide compensation for livestock killed by the predators; additionally, wolves were designated as non-game animals.

2023: Forty-three State Parks Open

As of 2023, Colorado had forty-three State Parks open to the public, including the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex. The 2023 edition of Your guide to Colorado's state parks describes two state parks not included in the total and still in development with limited public access: Lone Mesa and Sweetwater Lake.