To help non-game species, just check

Colorado is fortunate to have a wide variety of non-game animals, birds and fishery populations that go well beyond the familiar and commonly known official Colorado wildlife and game. Additionally, our state is home to a number of endangered wildlife types.

State hunting and fishing licenses and user fees and charges, plus shared federal monies, are the financial resources that fund the management and support for the traditional wildlife and fishery populations. What are lacking are adequate monies for the non-game species and the endangered wildlife of Colorado.

However, there is a voluntary contribution avenue that residents of our State can pursue to help fill that funding gap. The “Non-game and Endangered Wildlife Cash Fund” was established to allow citizens to contribute funds as part of their annual tax checkoff when filing state income tax returns. Contributions are tax-deductible. In 2014 more than $ 150,000 was contributed by some 11,000 taxpayers giving an average of $ 13.83.

Colorado is host to more than 750 vital species of wildlife that are considered “non-game” species or animals that are not hunted, fished or trapped. In recent years the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Division has initiated non-game conservation programs including releasing, tracking and monitoring black-footed ferrets; population monitoring of the greater sage grouse; migration studies and reproduction support of the white-tailed ptarmigan; managing health-related factors in support of the black-tailed, white-tailed and Gunnison prairie dog colonies; protection and conservation practices for the cutthroat trout, greenback cutthroat and Rio Grande cutthroat trout; successful rearing and stocking of 13 threatened species of trout in state waters and protection of the boreal toad and Colorado bat population battling the white-nose syndrome impacting Western states including Colorado.

Reid Dewalt, assistant director of CPW’s Wildlife and Natural Resources branch, said: “The state is vested in the long-term sustainability and balance of wildlife for future generations. Doing so is not without costs and will be done only with the support of all outdoor recreationalists.” The Non-game and Endangered Wildlife Cash Fund checkoff box can be found under the Voluntary Contributions section on the 2015 Colorado State income tax form 104A, on line 50.