05-22-2007, 10:10 PM
As summer activities move into full swing, more and more Colorado residents will be heading out to state wildlife areas for recreation. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) reminds the public that anyone from 19-64 years old must have a Colorado Habitat Stamp to use state wildlife areas.
"Buying a habitat stamp provides direct support for wildlife in Colorado," said Tom Spezze, southwest regional manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. "As Colorado continues to attract more people, we need to make sure that we continue to provide good habitat for wildlife."
State wildlife areas are found throughout Colorado and provide more than 1 million acres of important wildlife habitat.
If you use a state wildlife area without a habitat stamp, you can be ticketed. The fine is $68.
The habitat stamp program was started in 2006 as a way to allow purchase, preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat in Colorado. During 2006, the DOW collected nearly $3.6 million through the Habitat Stamp program. That money, in turn, is being used to match a variety of grant programs and is helping to leverage more than $20 million for habitat protection across the state.
The habitat stamp costs $5 with the purchase of each license up to a maximum of $10 for those buying hunting or fishing licenses. Non-license buyers can purchase a stamp for $10.25 which includes the Colorado Search and Rescue fee.
In 2006, more than 99 percent of the income from habitat stamp sales came from those buying hunting and fishing licenses. The DOW is appealing to non-license buyers to support wildlife and consider purchasing a stamp.
"Wildlife is enjoyed by everyone in Colorado. To assure that wildlife remains part of our landscape for future generations, we need everyone to support wildlife," Spezze said.
There are more than 960 species of wildlife in Colorado. Loss of habitat is the single most significant cause of the decline of wildlife populations. It's estimated that Colorado is losing up to 120,000 acres of wildlife habitat per year due to development. Revenue from habitat stamp sales is used to secure migration corridors, winter ranges and habitat for native species at risk.
Habitat stamps can be purchased wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, by calling 1-800-244-5613, or on the Colorado Division of Wildlife website: www.wildlife.state.co.us.
"Buying a habitat stamp provides direct support for wildlife in Colorado," said Tom Spezze, southwest regional manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. "As Colorado continues to attract more people, we need to make sure that we continue to provide good habitat for wildlife."
State wildlife areas are found throughout Colorado and provide more than 1 million acres of important wildlife habitat.
If you use a state wildlife area without a habitat stamp, you can be ticketed. The fine is $68.
The habitat stamp program was started in 2006 as a way to allow purchase, preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat in Colorado. During 2006, the DOW collected nearly $3.6 million through the Habitat Stamp program. That money, in turn, is being used to match a variety of grant programs and is helping to leverage more than $20 million for habitat protection across the state.
The habitat stamp costs $5 with the purchase of each license up to a maximum of $10 for those buying hunting or fishing licenses. Non-license buyers can purchase a stamp for $10.25 which includes the Colorado Search and Rescue fee.
In 2006, more than 99 percent of the income from habitat stamp sales came from those buying hunting and fishing licenses. The DOW is appealing to non-license buyers to support wildlife and consider purchasing a stamp.
"Wildlife is enjoyed by everyone in Colorado. To assure that wildlife remains part of our landscape for future generations, we need everyone to support wildlife," Spezze said.
There are more than 960 species of wildlife in Colorado. Loss of habitat is the single most significant cause of the decline of wildlife populations. It's estimated that Colorado is losing up to 120,000 acres of wildlife habitat per year due to development. Revenue from habitat stamp sales is used to secure migration corridors, winter ranges and habitat for native species at risk.
Habitat stamps can be purchased wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, by calling 1-800-244-5613, or on the Colorado Division of Wildlife website: www.wildlife.state.co.us.