On Friday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Governor Jared Polis, in partnership with Western Rivers Conservancy and Great Outdoors Colorado, announced that a new State Wildlife Area is being established in Park County, aimed at preserving an important elk migration corridor and about five miles of “excellent” fishing habitat along Tarryall Creek.

Spanning 1,860 acres, the establishment of Collard Ranch as a new State Wildlife Area will continue to add to hunting and fishing opportunities around the state. Since Polis took office, 558,000 acres of public access land has been acquired by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the purchase of the Collard Ranch property in November 2023 with Great Outdoors Colorado and capital development funding, finalizing the purchase on March 8. Revenue used to make this purchase came from the sale of the $12.15 Habitat Stamp, which is purchased with a hunting or fishing license. Money from this stamp has been used to secure more than 146,300 acres of land for hunting and fishing since 2006.

That being said, the property will not be opened as Collard Ranch State Wildlife Area until “infrastructure needs and accessibility enhancements are completed,” according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

More than 350 wildlife areas are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife around the state, with these areas designed to preserve natural space in a way that brings in even fewer people in than the typical park. Visitors need a hunting or fishing license to access these areas, or a State Wildlife Area Pass, which costs about $40 annually. In general, human traffic in these areas tends to be low, and the visitation experience is much more rugged than the average park.

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s acquisition of the Collard Ranch property marks a significant conservation success for our state,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis. “The purchase underscores CPW’s mission to preserve land for outdoor enthusiasts. With the support of partners like Western Rivers Conservancy and Great Outdoors Colorado, we are proud to take this crucial step in preserving Colorado’s natural heritage for generations to come.”