ASPEN, Colo. — Beginning in early March, Colorado Parks and Wildlife researchers will begin a six-year study of the Avalanche Creek elk herd in the Roaring Fork Valley.

CPW officials are advising the public that they may see activity typically related to research projects, including helicopters, trail cameras and elk wearing tracking collars.

“In addition to all the things CPW does, we are a premier research agency,” said Area Wildlife Manager Perry Will of Glenwood Springs. “We are going to gather good data to learn more about this herd and make informed decisions about how we can manage effectively in the future.”

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails is partnering with CPW in the study, which will include fitting cow elk at Sky Mountain Park with tracking collars. Although much of the park is closed to human use annually from Dec. 1 through May 15, the value of the study data is worth the disturbance, according to Gary Tennenbaum, director of Open Space and Trails.

“This study could produce data that is crucial to a better understanding the needs of elk and their use of county open space,” Tennenbaum said. “Knowing where these animals move and when will be extremely helpful in better managing properties and establishing seasonal closures.”

“It’s all for a very good cause,” said Will. “Local governments, local outdoor recreation businesses and local citizens all have a stake in what this study reveals, so we ask for the public’s cooperation and patience while the study is ongoing.”

For more information about the research project, contact the CPW Glenwood Springs office at 970-247-2927, or perry.will@state.co.us.

Reach Gary Tennenbaum at 970-920-5355 or gary.tennenbaum@pitkincounty.com

For more information about ongoing wildlife research in Colorado, visit the CPW website.

— Colorado Parks & Wildlife

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