CPW Recognizes Outstanding Hunter Education Instructors for Advancing Safety and Conservation Values
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced its 2024 Hunter Education Instructors of the Year on September 18, honoring seven volunteer instructors whose dedication has shaped thousands of hunters across the state and reinforced the critical role of safety education in wildlife conservation.
Martin "Marty" Trujillo earned the statewide instructor recognition after teaching 578 students through 10 classes in 2024 alone. The Southeast Region instructor has served nearly a decade as a lead hunter education instructor, developing a reputation for energetic and memorable classes that students recognize years later.
"Marty has a unique way of connecting with students of all ages," said CPW Statewide Hunter Education Coordinator Jordan Likes. "Marty creates very engaging, thorough, and informative classes that are also fun for everyone who attends them."
The recognition comes as hunter education remains legally required for anyone born after January 1, 1949, who wishes to purchase a Colorado hunting license. Colorado established this requirement following the 1948 big game season, when 17 hunter fatalities occurred amid surging participation, according to data from the National Rifle Association's hunter safety programs.
Regional awards recognized instructors who have strengthened local hunting communities across Colorado. The Southeast Region honored three Pueblo-based instructors — Leonard Moore Jr., Robert Scheid and Brad Miller — for transforming their district's program into an interactive experience that receives outstanding student feedback.
Southwest Region recipients Brent Curtice and Rick Oberheu were recognized for their exceptional work providing hunter education in Delta County. Their efforts ensure the program meets community needs in areas where class availability can be limited.
Vicki Vargas-Madrid received Northeast Region honors after certifying over 640 students in 2024 through numerous courses. Casey Sullivan, a Fruita Middle School social studies teacher, earned Northwest Region recognition for integrating hunter education into his classroom curriculum, allowing students deeper engagement with the material than traditional courses provide.
CPW also selected Lacey Sprouse, a Colorado Springs-area instructor and former Army Staff Sergeant, to represent Colorado at the International Hunter Education Association's annual conference. Despite recently joining the program, Sprouse has distinguished herself through passionate instruction and advocacy for wildlife conservation practices.
The instructor recognition highlights the volunteer foundation supporting Colorado's hunter education system. Classes typically require at least 10 hours of instruction covering safety, wildlife management, laws and ethics. In high-population areas including Northern Colorado, courses fill quickly and waitlists are common, particularly before hunting seasons.
Colorado's program mirrors requirements in neighboring states, with most mandating hunter safety education for residents born after cutoff dates in the 1940s and 1960s. The state offers both classroom instruction and online courses with hands-on components, accommodating different learning preferences while maintaining safety standards.
Volunteer instructors must be at least 18 years old, hold valid hunter education cards, pass background checks and complete CPW's New Instructor Academy training. The minimum commitment includes teaching 10 hours annually and attending continuing education workshops every three years.
Hunter education extends beyond safety training to encompass conservation values and wildlife management principles. The program serves outdoor enthusiasts interested in understanding Colorado's hunting regulations, wildlife identification and ethical hunting practices, even if they don't plan to hunt immediately.
CPW operates as an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales and fees rather than general tax revenue. The agency manages 43 state parks, more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, and contributes about $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Information about upcoming hunter education classes, instructor applications and program details is available at cpw.state.co.us/hunting/education-outreach.