PARK COUNTY, Colo. ~ PARK COUNTY, Colo. - In a move to preserve wildlife and increase recreational opportunities for hunters and anglers, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has acquired 120 acres of land in Park County. The contract for the acquisition was finalized today, with the property set to become the Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area.

Located about six miles southeast of Jefferson, the newly acquired land includes a quarter-mile along Michigan Creek and is bordered by County Road 77. This strategic location will contribute to critical wildlife habitat continuity with neighboring Bureau of Land Management and National Forest Service lands in Park County.

The decision to acquire this land was made in line with Governor Polis' commitment to protecting Colorado's great outdoors for future generations. "Protecting our iconic great outdoors for future generations to enjoy is one of my administration's top priorities," said Governor Polis. "This new State Wildlife Area protects our natural resources while offering Colorado hunters and anglers more recreational opportunities."

The acquisition of this land was made possible through a partnership between CPW, Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC), and Colorado Open Lands. In 2023, a private landowner approached WRC to donate the land towards conservation efforts. WRC then worked with Colorado Open Lands to place a conservation easement on the property in late 2024 before ultimately donating it to CPW.

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Michigan Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River and Tarryall Creek, sustaining a naturally-reproducing population of brook and brown trout. The newly acquired land also offers increased hunting access for deer and elk in Game Management Unit 50.

Mark Lamb, Area Wildlife Manager for CPW, expressed his gratitude towards their partners in this effort: "The donation of Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area is a win for conservation. We are grateful for partners like Western Rivers Conservancy and Colorado Open Lands in the continued effort to preserve habitat and increase public lands for hunting and fishing."

CPW Senior Aquatic Biologist Kyle Battige also shared his excitement for the increased angling opportunities along Michigan Creek that will result from this partnership.

This is not the first time CPW and WRC have collaborated in Park County. Last spring, they acquired nearby Collard Ranch State Wildlife Area, totaling 1,980 acres of scenic habitat conserved. Collaboration between stewardship partners and private landowners remains a high priority for CPW in their efforts to preserve wildlife and land access for future generations.

Allen Law, WRC Interior West Project Manager, expressed his satisfaction with the conservation of such a scenic and healthy stretch of Michigan Creek: "Western Rivers Conservancy is thrilled we could expand our efforts in the South Platte Basin to help fish and wildlife thrive and to create better access to South Park's rivers and open spaces."

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Kelsey Kirkwood, Colorado Open Lands Conservation Project Associate, also emphasized the importance of partnerships in creating meaningful conservation outcomes for all Coloradans: "Protecting this land means that Coloradans will be able to access excellent fishing for generations into the future, helping them connect to the outdoors and enjoy Colorado's natural beauty."

The Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area will offer hunting, angling, and wildlife viewing opportunities with the purchase of an SWA pass. Revenue from pass purchases will fund hunting and fishing conservation efforts as well as continued habitat health. The funding for this project was provided by the Park County Land and Water Trust Fund.

Photo courtesies: Christi Bode/Western Rivers Conservancy

Western Rivers Conservancy's motto is "Sometimes to save a river, you have to buy it." The organization purchases land along the West's finest rivers and streams to conserve habitat for fish and wildlife, protect key sources of cold water, and create public access for all to enjoy.

To ensure that the lands they acquire are protected in perpetuity, WRC transfers them to long-term stewards, including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, state parks, and Tribal nations. WRC has created sanctuaries for fish and wildlife and secured recreational access along 250 rivers and streams around the West. They have protected more than 440 river miles and over 220,000 acres of land in nine western states. Their approach to river conservation is effective, tangible, and permanent.

More information about Western Rivers Conservancy can be found at WesternRivers.org.

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