A Colorado student unpacked a venomous slender hognosed pit viper from a suitcase after a Costa Rica trip; the Denver Zoo has quarantined the juvenile while officials evaluate options.

Permits for Ridgway’s Blue Lakes won’t start this summer; limited camping and new rules take effect in 2026 ahead of a targeted 2027 permit rollout.

The Conservation Fund bought the historic Tolland Ranch and will transfer it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for management as a State Wildlife Area.

A new Nature Cities paper finds nearly half of migratory bird stopovers occur inside metro areas — and Denver is on the map. Experts urge Lights Out and native planting.

More than 20,000 sandhill cranes have converged on the San Luis Valley ahead of the Monte Vista Crane Festival. Here’s where to see them and what officials are advising for safe viewing.

Three tourers avoided two avalanches on the Battleship north face in the Northern San Juans. CAIC warns steep slopes and remote-triggering remain dangerous.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife opened a $1 million grant round to help communities install bear‑resistant trash infrastructure and reduce human‑bear conflicts.

Summit County closed the Tenmile Canyon recpath after warnings that heavy storm loading and forecast winds could trigger avalanches onto the trail.

About 6,000 dead cottonwoods and willows were removed from Chatfield over two winters after the reservoir rise, officials say. The work was done for safety and dam protection.

Federal funding limits and local pushback have effectively sidelined the largest Bear Creek Lake expansion plans. Officials now say only a modest 300‑acre‑foot change is likely to be studied further.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife inspected 438,272 watercraft in 2025 and decontaminated about 30,000 boats to slow the spread of invasive zebra and quagga mussels.

Wheat Ridge police issued a wildlife alert after a likely pet fatality. Officials urge residents to supervise pets and report aggressive coyotes.

The National Park Service says Arches will not require timed-entry reservations in 2026, but warned busy trailheads and parking may still fill. Park staff will use on-the-ground traffic measures.