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On April 23, Colorado officially launched a bold new vision for the future of our lands, waters, wildlife, and outdoor experiences — Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy.
This statewide framework is a call to action for conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience. It reflects a deep truth Coloradans know well: our outdoors are essential. They are where we connect — to the land, to one another, and to what makes this state home.
Why This Matters Now
Colorado’s outdoors face increasing pressures. In 2022 alone, 90 million people visited the state. Meanwhile, our population is expected to grow from 5.5 million to 8.5 million by 2050. Add in the growing risks of wildfires, drought, and climate change — and it’s clear that our natural resources and outdoor experiences need coordinated, forward-thinking care.
That’s where Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy comes in.
The strategy provides a unifying framework to guide strategic action on the landscape. It helps partners align around shared goals and tools — not just to manage challenges, but to build something lasting and better for future generations.
A Strategy Built on Collaboration
The strategy is built around three core goals:
- Climate-Resilient Conservation and Restoration
- Exceptional and Sustainable Outdoor Recreation
- Coordinated Planning and Funding
The development of the strategy was driven by input from across the state — including public agencies, nonprofits, landowners, Tribal Nations, outdoor recreation groups, and community voices. A key partner in this work was Keystone Policy Center, whose expertise in collaboration helped guide the strategy’s development.
“The Colorado Outdoors Strategy is a unique, collaborative approach that will inspire and shape the future of Colorado’s outdoors. It can also serve as a model for other states. It shows how we can plan from the local level up to the statewide scale to manage, protect, and enjoy our outdoor spaces,” said Julie Shapiro, Director of Keystone’s Center for Natural Resources. “There’s a tremendous amount of common ground when it comes to these issues, and Colorado has shown that it’s possible to bring together diverse interests to build a shared vision for the future of our outdoors.”
A Tool for Everyone
Whether you’re a public land manager, a recreation planner, a conservation group, a local official, or someone who just loves the outdoors — Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy is designed to support your work.
With tools like an interactive data dashboard, plan library, and a resource hub hosted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the strategy gives users access to powerful data and guidance for planning and collaboration.
Local Partnerships, Statewide Impact
A cornerstone of the strategy is the Regional Partnerships Initiative — a growing network of 21 locally driven coalitions covering nearly 80% of the state. Since its launch in 2021, CPW and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) have invested $6.07 million to strengthen the capacity and development of these member coalitions, advancing conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience efforts statewide. These investments and partnerships are vital to ensuring that local priorities shape statewide action, and that solutions are tailored to each region’s needs. Regional Partnerships bring voices together and help communities take action on what matters most.
Learn More
Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy is now live and ready to explore. Visit https://cpw.state.co.us/coloradosoutdoorsstrategy to access the full strategy and tools for implementation.
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