Federal Approval Secures Decade of Conservation Funding for Larimer and Weld Counties

Federal regulators have approved Colorado's 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan, locking in a decade of conservation funding and reshaping which vulnerable species and habitats get priority in Larimer and Weld counties.

The plan is required every decade to keep states eligible for federal funding through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program. Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado Natural Heritage Program developed the plan with public input, identifying Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitats statewide.

"The approval of Colorado's 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan is an important milestone for wildlife conservation in our state," said CPW Acting Director Laura Clellan. "This plan reflects years of scientific work, collaboration, and public engagement, and it provides a clear roadmap for protecting Colorado's biodiversity while helping ensure we remain eligible for vital federal conservation funding over the next decade."

CPW's Jan. 23 approval announcement does not include county-level species and habitat lists. Residents can access those lists through CPW's digital tools—the Data Hub, dashboards, or the Colorado Natural Heritage Program's CODEX database, according to CPW and CNHP web materials.

The plan determines where conservation dollars go. On Jan. 15, CPW awarded $12 million to restore wetland habitat—an example of how SWAP priorities shape real funding for restoration in Larimer and Weld counties.

"This approval represents the culmination of years of collaboration, science, and public engagement," said State Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator Kacie Miller. "The 2025 SWAP provides a clear, forward-looking framework that will help guide conservation decisions, leverage partnerships, and track our progress over the next decade."

Species rankings, habitat data, and interactive maps are now available on CPW's State Wildlife Action Plan website. Residents can filter these tools by county to see which Species of Greatest Conservation Need and priority habitats appear in Larimer and Weld.

Residents and local officials can filter CPW's SWAP digital resources by county to see which local ecosystems and species are priorities for future funding.