American Indian and Indigenous Communities Listening Sessions

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites Indigenous and American Indian communities to upcoming in-person, statewide listening sessions. We’re shaping the future of Colorado's state parks and want to hear from you. Join a local listening session to share your experiences, priorities and perspectives that can help guide our state parks.

Background

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is launching a statewide series of listening sessions to strengthen relationships with Indigenous and American Indian communities and better understand their experiences with Colorado state parks. This effort originated from a combination of internal CPW leadership and staff discussions evaluating Tribal and community relations, the commencement of the American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee, and advancement of outreach and engagement efforts related to House Bill 25-1163. CPW committed to build upon existing efforts to deepen engagement with and gain clearer insights into what Indigenous and American Indian community members value, need and hope to collaborate with CPW on regarding state parks.

Seven community listening sessions are scheduled across the state, beginning in Fort Collins and followed by sessions in Grand Junction, Durango, Colorado Springs, and Denver. Virtual participation options and an online comment portal may also be offered after the in-person listening sessions conclude to ensure broader access. For these in-person listening sessions, light refreshments will be available, and simple activities for children will be offered, so families can participate comfortably.

CPW and DNR have partnered with the Keystone Policy Center’s Center for Tribal and Indigenous Engagement, a consultant agency, to support the planning and facilitation of the statewide community listening sessions.

CPW’s Goals

CPW’s primary goal is to listen deeply to learn how Indigenous and American Indian community members currently engage with state parks, what barriers or opportunities they experience, and what the vision for future partnership looks like. Feedback gathered from listening sessions scheduled at the beginning will be used to inform later scheduled listening session events, ensuring the process remains responsive. Across all listening sessions, CPW will identify the top three to four issues that consistently emerge and commit to evaluating those further.

Ultimately, these community listening sessions aim to create safe, welcoming spaces where Indigenous and American Indian community members can openly share their relationship with Colorado state parks and help shape a future grounded in partnership, respect and meaningful engagement.

Who are we seeking to engage?

• Tribal governments that reside within and/or have historical associations with Colorado
• American Indian and Indigenous peoples who call Colorado home
• American Indian and Indigenous college-age participants