DENVER, COLORADO — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has unveiled the Born to Be Wild License Plate Grant Program, a new initiative offering up to $50,000 to support efforts that promote the Born to Be Wild license plate and the wolf conflict mitigation projects it funds. Applications for the program are due by December 15, 2024, with grant awards set to be announced in March 2025.
The Born to Be Wild license plate, introduced through bipartisan legislation HB23-1265, raises funds for non-lethal tools aimed at reducing wolf-livestock conflicts, including turbo fladry and scare devices. The program aims to further public understanding of these efforts while helping ranchers adapt to the reintroduction of gray wolves to Colorado.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
“This special license plate allows Colorado residents to support ranchers impacted by wolf depredation by funding tools that minimize conflicts,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “The goal is for ranchers and wolves to coexist and thrive in Colorado.”
The grant program is open to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies proposing innovative marketing strategies to increase license plate sales. The minimum award is $5,000, with a cap of $50,000 per project.
Governor Jared Polis praised the initiative as a meaningful step in reducing human-wildlife conflict, stating, “I appreciate the work of legislators who made this possible and look forward to seeing the impact of this important funding.”
Legislators and local leaders emphasized the collaborative spirit behind the program, highlighting its role in addressing wolf-livestock conflicts while fostering cooperation between urban and rural communities.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
“This bipartisan effort bridges the urban-rural divide by helping Coloradans support both wolves and the agricultural community,” said Perry Will, County Commissioner-Elect and a sponsor of HB23-1265.
Rep. Meghan Lukens, another bill sponsor, noted the program’s significance for ranchers on the Western Slope. “There is more work to be done, but this grant program is a vital component of Colorado’s conflict mitigation efforts,” she said.
Grant applicants can find details on eligibility, project criteria, and submission requirements online. Questions about the program can be directed to CPW’s Amy Brandenburg at amy.brandenburg@state.co.us.
RECENT MOUNTAIN NEWS
