EVENTS

Take a look at our Events Calendar and the Get Outdoors listings for complete details of all of our upcoming activities. And we're sure there's at least a few more that are not on the calendar but you'll find during a visit.

Earth Day Events

Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day? Colorado's state parks have got you covered. Events are happening throughout the Earth Day weekend at many of your favorite state parks. Find out which parks are hosting activities and make plans to help them celebrate!

Earth Day Celebration
Arkansas Headwater Recreation Area
Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) and Salida Recreation in celebrating Earth Day 2012. Pick and choose events or come for the entire program. Programs include: Recycling and worms: Live birds of prey from the famous Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo; "Human Impact in Shangrila," a presentation by Masood Ahmad of Adams State College. Events will be held in Salida, Colo. at Riverside Park. Call AHRA at (719) 539-7289 for more details.

Earth Day Geology Hike
Castlewood Canyon State Park
Sunday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to noon

Join Castlewood Canyon volunteer naturalist/geologist Scott Knight for an Earth Day hike. Come observe how the rocks in the park "tell their story." Please meet at the Canyon Point Parking lot picnic pavilions for this 2-3 hour hike. Reserve your place early by calling (303) 688-5242. This will be a moderately strenuous hike into the canyon.

Volunteer Open House and Event
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Sunday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park will be hosting a volunteer open house and an organized volunteer event on Sunday, April 22. The volunteer open house will be held at the visitor center. Snacks and refreshments will be served. From approximately 1 – 3 p.m. Park staff will then lead an organized volunteer project. The details of the project have yet to be determined due to the unpredictable nature of weather at that elevation in April. This event is open to all ages. If you are interested in attending, RSVP by calling (303) 582-3707.

Earth Day Spring Cleanup
Lake Pueblo State Park
Sunday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to noon

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) invites you to celebrate Earth Day by helping with the annual Lake Pueblo State Park Earth Day Cleanup. Bring the whole family and show your support for our environment by working to beautify Lake Pueblo. Refreshments will be served, park entrance fees are waived for volunteers and there will also be prizes given away. Don't forget your work boots, hat, sunscreen, gloves and water. Meet at the Lake Pueblo Quail Run Group Picnic Area, located between the Visitor's Center and the South Shore Marina.

Earth Day Volunteer Celebration
Lathrop State Park
Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Celebrate Earth Day at Lathrop State Park. Volunteers are needed to improve shoreline habitat and fishing access through Russian-olive removal and traditional shoreline cleanup. Food and fun will be provided and no experience is necessary. This is a family friendly event. Call Lathrop State Park at (719) 738-2376 or email brian.kerrigan@state.co.us to sign up.

Earth Day Celebration
Mueller State Park
Sunday, April 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Join volunteer naturalist Rose for a family, fun-filled celebration of Earth Day 2012, starting at the Mueller State Park Visitor Center! Parents and children will enjoy stories, crafts and a hike. Bring your Earth Day spirit, craft hands and sturdy shoes for hiking! Please RSVP/sign up by April 17 if you are interested in attending. The celebration will be limited to 35 child participants. Sign up by visiting the visitor center, emailing chelsea.murray@state.co.us or calling (719) 687-2366, ext.107.

Put Down Roots at North Sterling
North Sterling State Park
Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

North Sterling State Park will host its 2nd Annual Put Down Roots volunteer event on April 21st from 9am to 2pm, including a barbecue for volunteers. Everyone and anyone is invited to come help plant and care for the young trees at North Sterling and help us provide wildlife habitat and shade for future visitors. Call the park office for more information (970) 522-3657.

Earth Day Geology Hike
Roxborough State Park
Sunday, April 22 at 9 a.m.

Join Naturalist Peter Laux on a three mile hike along the South Rim Trail to view the rocks that show the fascinating geologic history of the Denver area. Along the way he'll discuss what makes Earth such a hospitable planet. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (303) 973-3959.

Earth Day Celebration
Trinidad Lake State Park
Saturday, April 21 at 1 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to help with the planting of over 100 trees. Kids will be able to color pictures celebrating Earth Day. T-shirts and prizes will also be distributed! Contact the Trinidad Lake State Park visitor's center at (719) 846-6951 for more information and to register.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife at The Wildlife Experience
The Wildlife Experience in Parker, Colo.
Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Wildlife Experience will be hosting a Colorado Parks and Wildlife expo on Saturday, April 29. Amidst, the cool exhibits that The Wildlife Experience has to offer, you can meet park rangers and enjoy a variety of state parks themed activities. Representatives from many of your favorite Colorado state parks will be in attendance with customized activities planned, that highlight all of the fun the parks have to offer. We'll have boating, birding, geology, fishing, camping and hiking activities. You'll be able to design your own park, bat mask and partake in a scavenger hunt. We promise there will be even be a few more fun activities and who knows what prizes might be available if you complete all of them?

The best part about this event is that after you're done with all of the state parks' fun, you'll get to explore the exciting exhibits The Wildlife Experience has to offer. They've recently added a new eight foot polar bear, a rain forest adventure and some beautiful photo galleries in addition to their exciting permanent exhibits. With activities geared towards young and old you're going to want to round up the whole famiy for this event. We can't wait to see you there!

Outdoor Heritage Day
Riverbend Park in Palisade, Colo.
Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Experience a taste of the great outdoors at the annual Outdoor Heritage Day! Colorado Parks and Wildlife, along with many other agencies and outdoor groups will be there providing a day filled with exciting outdoor activities. Kids of all ages will have the opportunity to fish, practice archery/shooting skills, learn how to orienteer, participate in GPS scavenger hunts, rock climb, go on nature hikes, learn about bird migration, try an obstacle course, gold pan, try a hunting simulator and much more. Representatives from land management agencies and non-profit organizations will be there to answer questions and provide all the information you need to start planning your exciting summer getaways! Lunch is provided, and best of all this event is completely free. In addition, approximately 800 fishing poles will be given away to the youth participating in this event. Fore more information, call the Grand Junction wildlife office at (970) 255-6100.

SEASONAL HAPPENINGS

Volunteer Valuation

True or false: The estimated value of hours that Colorado's state parks receive in volunteer time is more than $3 million. True or false: It would take an additional 100 full-time employees to accomplish the work of our 2011 CPW state parks volunteers?

In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 15-21) and because quite frankly we can't thank them enough, join with us in extending a hearty THANK YOU! to the thousands of volunteers who help keep our parks green, clean and brimming with activities.

Each year, CPW has many, many, many people who volunteer some of their time by helping out at a state park. These volunteers perform critical tasks like trail maintenance or help ensure visitor safety by acting as campground hosts. Other volunteers enhance the experience of our visitors by assisting with special events, nature hikes and fireside chats. What would we do without these invaluable volunteers?

The opportunities described above barely even scratch the surface, as there are endless ways volunteers support their state parks. Click here to view some of the most popular volunteer opportunities and the responsibilities that come with the positions.

Still not buying the importance of our volunteers? Here are just a few bullets as to how vital they really are.

• Volunteers at Colorado's state parks provided many, many, many hours of service in 2011. (Think you know exactly how many? Check the Trivia Question to find out.)
• It would take an additional 100 full-time workers to accomplish that work.
• The estimated value of the volunteer time spans $3.1 to $4.4 million.

Needless to say, these volunteers perform essential customer service and other functions that allow park facilities and programs to remain operable.

We'll be highlighting some of our outstanding volunteers in "Volunteer of the Day" posts on our Facebook page next week. Keep a look out for these profiles and don't forget to help us say thanks.

If you've volunteered at a state park in the past, share your experience with us on our Facebook page. And if you haven't, but you'd like to pitch in and join this impressive cast of characters, visit our Volunteer NOW! page and sign up to start sharing your talents and gifts today!

Fishing for Fun?

Look no further than CPW for all you need to know for the upcoming fishing season. We'll get you ready to head out the door by showing you what you need, where the hotspots are and even where to send that photo of you and your record fish.

The fishing license season in Colorado runs April 1 – March 31, which means if you haven't purchased your 2012-2013 Colorado fishing license you'll need to do that first. Colorado fishing licenses are $26 for residents and $56 for non-residents. People 16 and older are required to buy and carry with them a fishing licenses to fish or take fish. For individuals over 18 and under 65, a $10 Habitat Stamp is required with the first license purchase for the year. The habitat stamp funds go towards wildlife conservation. You can buy your license here, at any Colorado Parks and Wildlife office, over the phone or at license agents around the state.

Now that you've got your license and your habitat stamp, you'll need to decide where you want to go. Every Tuesday evening an updated fishing report will be available here. This fishing report will highlight the action at many of Colorado's top fishing spots, including most of the Colorado's state parks. There are multiple tabs of good information, so be sure to check them all. In addition to the fishing report, you can also check the Parks Search page; click "Conditions" check "Fishing Report" and then click "Search" to see updated information on your favorite state park fishing spots.

Okay. Now that you've got updated fishing reports you're bound to catch the big one. What do you do when you catch the big one though? Send us your pictures, of course! Send photos and locations of your epic catches to fish.reporter@state.co.us and you might even see them show up in a future fishing report. You can also share your fishing escapades with us on our Facebook page. We look forward to seeing and hearing about your record catches!

Be Bear Aware

Warm weather is bringing some of Colorado's black bears out of hibernation early and Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding residents to be "bear aware" to protect bears and people. With temperatures rising into the 70s already across much of Colorado, bears are beginning to emerge from dens and sightings have already been reported in Colorado Springs, Aspen, Durango and Summit County.

A few tips to make sure you get the most out of your trips to your favorite state parks.

• Always maintain a safe distance from wildlife.
• Follow all precautions posted in the park.
• Trash is the number one bear attractant so be sure to place all trash in appropriate receptacles.
• As always, keep your dogs on their leash.

Black bears have traditionally not been a major issue at most of Colorado's state parks and by following these simple steps you can keep the risk of interaction to a minimum.

Help VOC Receive $35,000!

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a great partner that helps publicize volunteer opportunities at Colorado's state parks, as well as recruit help for many parks and forests throughout the state. So let's help them out! They have been chosen to participate in the Starbucks Community Card: Vote.Give.Grow. program, in recognition of their contributions to the Colorado community. This is a fantastic opportunity and they need your help to receive up to $35,000! All you need to participate is a Starbucks gift card. If you don't have one of those you can always buy one in advance of your next latte or they are also available on the Starbucks website. Who won't use a Starbucks gift card?

To help, follow the steps below.

• Go to www.starbucks.com/votegivegrow.
• Turn your Starbucks Card into a Community Card by signing in and entering your card information.
• VOTE for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
• Share your vote through Facebook and Twitter
• Come back and vote each week for the rest of April!

Once you vote, tell VOC on Facebook or e-mail Becca Summer. That will enter you to win special prizes, drawn once a week.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is a statewide volunteer organization dedicated to motivating and enabling citizens to be active stewards of Colorado's natural resources. Every year VOC's award-winning volunteer programs engage thousands of people of all ages in caring for Colorado's outdoors.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado thanks you for your support!

DID YOU KNOW?

Where's Walleye?
by Clare Sinacori

Having grown up just miles from the Atlantic Ocean, I admit I never gave much thought to where fish in Colorado come from. If you're like me and take for granted the wonderful fishing opportunities in Colorado, read on as I share what was for me an eye-opening experience on CPW's walleye spawning. Yes, when I returned from Cherry Creek State Park reeking of fish, I attracted every neighborhood cat within five miles. But I learned what a first-class operation our aquatics biologists manage and was thoroughly impressed by their work.

This effort, that takes the better part of three weeks, is repeated daily. The night before spawning, Ben Swigle (a CPW aquatics biologist) and his team set up multiple nets at Cherry Creek State Park, near the dam. The next morning, Ben's team take their boats out to the nets and places the walleye from the nets into holding tanks on the boat. Species besides walleye that were captured are released immediately.

The team heads back to the dock where there is a tank for males, a tank for the females who are ready to lay eggs and another tank for the (green) females who aren't quite ready. The "green" females are held for up to three days until they are ready to spawn. Female walleye which do not release their eggs after three days are returned to the lake.

Science fascinates me and I understand that not everyone shares this sentiment. The more squeamish can skip this paragraph and read on to the next. Ripe females are compressed to expel their eggs into a plastic basin. (This is a process they complete naturally in the wild by rubbing their bellies on rocks.) In the next step, male walleye sperm is added to the eggs. Then water is added to the mixture to "activate the sperm" and fertilize the eggs. They are mixed gently for two minutes with a feather so the eggs don't break. After two minutes, bentonite (muddy water) is added to the mixture to prevent the eggs from clumping. The eggs then encounter more stirring and a gentle rinse with water until a pan of clean eggs is obtained.

The eggs go into storage for about one hour and then are shipped to the hatchery. These eggs, and similar ones from Chatfield State Park, are destined for Wray, Colo. for distribution. A small number of walleye eggs are exchanged with other states for other species of fish eggs to stock Colorado's waters. The vast majority (95%) of the walleye spawned here will be stocked throughout 75 of Colorado's lakes, statewide.

The team works from about March 15 to April 6 and obtained close to 100 million "eyed" eggs. Walleye eggs have a hatch rate of about 75%, so approximately 75 million will survive. In the private sector, a single hatched walleye is worth about $.03; so in the three weeks of spawning the value of the eggs collected is about $2,250,000. Thanks to Ben, his team and all the CPW aquatics biologists around the state for doing the important work that helps keep our waterways brimming with fish.

Love ‘Em and Leash ‘Em

Dogs love to camp, hike and visit parks just as much as their human counterparts. There are a few steps you should take to make sure you and your pal get the most out of your trip to your favorite Colorado state park. Many dog owners have well trained pets that respond to all commands. We want all visitors (two- and four-legged) to enjoy their state park visit. So, do owners really need to keep their dogs on a leash in the state parks? The answer, of course, is yes and it's for a variety of reasons:

• Resource impacts on birds, animals and predators
• Safety issues for children
• Safety issues for your dog(s)
• It's the law

Still not convinced? Read on for an eye-opening presentation on the importance of leash laws.

Leash rules do not apply to off-leash areas at Chatfield State Park and Cherry Creek State Park but please remember to be considerate of other dogs and their owners while using these facilities.

We know that your dog is part of your family, so we welcome dogs with responsible owners. We appreciate your help in maintaining the right balance to protect our sensitive resources, and to protect you and your dog.

Dogs are allowed on trails and in campgrounds at 38 state parks. For the protection of specific wildlife, pets may be prohibited on trails to reduce stress in calving areas, migratory routes, etc. Areas deemed sensitive to wildlife, particularly during nesting or mating season, may be off-limits, as well. Check with individual parks and our pets page before heading out, so you know where your pets can join you.

Jobs for Land Lovers

The Mile High Youth Corps is embarking on a new season of recruitment and is now hiring Corpsmembers for their Summer of Service. Corpsmember positions are available to 18 to 24 year old young adults who want to work in the conservation field. You'll work as part of a team on land, energy, and water conservation projects.

Two different experiences are available. As part of the Conservation Day Crew, you'll be completing conservation projects on public lands throughout the Denver metro area and Front Range using basic tools, chainsaws, a chipper and other equipment. As a YouthBuild Corpsmember you'll work alongside professional trades-people learning and assisting them in their duties onsite, including: plumbing, electrical, carpentry, concrete, drywall, HVAC, general labor, site cleanup, erosion control, etc.

In addition to giving back to your community and adding something great to your resume, all youth positions include stipends and hold the opportunity to earn an Education Award (or scholarship). What are you waiting for? Do something rewarding this summer. Click here for more information and to sign up today!

FEATURED PARK

Harvey Gap State Park

Have you stamped Harvey Gap State Park off in your Passport to Parks booklet yet? Harvey Gap State Park is a day-use park located about 25 miles west of Glenwood Springs, near Rifle Falls and Rifle Gap state parks. It is a popular year round fishing spot, famous for catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch, crappie, rainbow trout at northern pike. This serene and picturesque location allows you to hear your own thoughts as the reservoir is only open to motors 20 horsepower or less. Boating officially opened for the season on April 1.

Echoing the relaxing nature theme, Harvey Gap State Park also offers picnic tables near the water, that are shaded by the many cottonwood trees. You will also certainly appreciate the vast amounts of cedar and sagebrush. There are 30 picnic sites with tables and grills available on a first come first served basis. As you eat, enjoy the Grand Hogback, the ridge that marks the edge of the Rocky Mountains, which runs along the south end of the reservoir.

There are many migratory and resident birds at Harvey Gap as well. Waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors are attracted to the reservoir. Mule deer are also common. So are cottontail rabbits, coyotes, raccoons, chipmunks and golden-mantled ground squirrels.

If you just can't shake the camping itch, overnight camping is available at nearby Rifle Falls State Park and Rifle Gap State Park. You'll have to leave Fido at home on this trip though as pets are not permitted at Harvey Gap State Park, to help preserve Harvey Gap's natural state.

TRAIL OF THE MONTH

Beaver Brook Trail
by Nancy Matchett, Trails Program Coordinator

This is better than ruby slippers. In only 20 minutes from Denver you can step out of your car, down the rabbit hole and into the wilderness.

Beaver Brook Trail

Elevation: 7650 ft.
Distance One-Way: 9 miles
Surface: natural
Difficulty: Intermediate
Uses: Hiker only. Dogs allowed on leash
Amenities: Two vault toilet restrooms and picnic tables at the beginning of the trail

This nine mile, out-and- back, natural surface trail starts at the top of Clear Creek Canyon and descends through an evergreen forest (Douglas fir) to Beaver Brook and some sunny meadows. Then the trail begins a climb back out to Lookout Mountain. So it's not flat and it's not wide but, boy, is it beautiful. And quiet except for the constant companion of the brook and a lone bird calling.

Beaver Brook Trail is part of Genesee Park – a Denver Mountain Park - and constructed over two years by the Colorado Mountain Club in 1919. The first half-mile is a Braille Trail or you can also hike down a wide, dirt access road that dovetails with Beaver Brook Trail. The area is well-signed. Be prepared for a backcountry experience, no matter how far you wander. There are steps and exposed edges and a talus field at the east end. Take a well-supplied backpack and don't count on cell phone coverage. I was not able to get any.

I favor the first three miles or so of the west end of the trail – so six miles round trip. Just be prepared for the hike out because it's up. Dogs are permitted on leash and the brook makes water readily available. However, save some of you and your pooch's energy for the trek back up and out from the canyon floor.

Having hiked the trail in the winter and fallen eight or so times on ice, I would not recommend this as the most inviting time of the year. The trail is on the south side of the canyon and faces mostly north. But the pictures I got of ice formations almost made it worth it. In spring, the brook is running high, wildflowers are in bloom and soft breezes are blowing. In the summer, this shady hike is a respite from the heat. The trail winds down into the canyon bottom where there are picnic spots next to the brook.

As with most wildlife viewing, early morning or late afternoon are your best bets. I hike with my dog almost all the time so wildlife is generally scarce, something to consider if you like to photograph critters. Remember to keep your pet on a leash for its protection (this is mountain lion and bear country) and to protect wildlife that may have to flee from a hard-won meal. It could take a while for an animal to eat again. However, scenery and plants don't run and I like to take these kinds of pictures, too.

Finding the Trailhead

Trailheads 4 and 5 (There are 5 trailheads.)

Access is from Exit 253, the Chief Hosa Exit on I-70 west. Make a right on Stapleton Drive, a dirt road, and drive about a mile. There are two parking lots. The first one on the left, about ¼ mile from the trail, has a rustic restroom and is also the winter parking lot, as further along, the road is closed in the winter. The second lot is at the end of Stapleton Drive at the trail itself. Maps are available on line and at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center.

Additional information on the Beaver Brook Trail System is available here.

Even though this trail is not in a state park, we hope you enjoyed this addition thanks to the Colorado State Recreational Trails Program staff. The program is part of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and since 1971 the program actively encourages the development of a variety of trails throughout the state. Next month we will provide more information on the Colorado State Recreational Trails Program, and we plan on continuing to highlight a trail of the month in future versions of the e-newsletter.

KID'S CORNER

Birds are busy this time of the year building their nests, using material they find in nature. In this activity, kids are encouraged to "think like a bird" and build their own nest.

Visit our Family & Kids page for more information on making your own bird's nest as well as other nature-inspired activities.

TRIVIA QUESTION

How many hours did volunteers contribute to Colorado's state parks in 2011? Hint.

Support Your Parks. . .

. . . by purchasing your annual pass today!

. . . by volunteering at a park near you! For more information, visit our Volunteer page.

If you have friends who might also enjoy reading this e-newsletter, please forward it to them! They can receive our monthly Parks e-newsletter by signing up here.

This e-newsletter is funded in part through Great Outdoors Colorado with Colorado Lottery proceeds.