CFO Convention 2024
Lamar, Colorado
Ask a Colorado birder, When is the single best weekend in the entire birding year? Where?
Many will say, Early May, Southeastern Colorado.
CFO is holding its 2024 convention May 2–5 in Lamar, Prowers County. Legendary birding hotspots such as Two Buttes and Cottonwood Canyon will likely have a variety of eastern warblers; specialty trips to private ranches are practically guaranteed to provide some surprises; and even birding right around Lamar will be excellent. Field trips to local cultural history sites and big sits provide opportunities for those who prefer some less intense birding days.
The birding will be great, maybe epic, but there’s so much more to the CFO convention experience. A Friday evening social to catch up with friends, a keynote address by local conservation rancher and steward Dallas May, talks about new research on Colorado's birds, and more.
Every year is different but if you'd like to read how CFO's last convention in Lamar went, here is the article from the 2016 convention.
Registration is open until 15 April, 2024.
Schedule Overview
Activities and times are subject to change.
Thursday, May 2 - Arrival trips, Welcome Picnic (5:30-8 pm; food 6:00-7:30), Rail field trip
Friday, May 3 - Full-day field trips, Social
Saturday, May 4 - Half-day field trips, Workshops, Science Session, Banquet & Keynote Speaker
Sunday, May 5 - Full-day & Half-day field trips
Registration Packet
Please read before you register!
This registration packet includes meal options, unique convention shirts, all field trip descriptions, and more. Please review the information in this packet before you start the registration packet. We expect some trips to fill very quickly once registration opens, knowing what you want when you start registration will help you get the trips you want.
Want to ensure you and someone else are on the same field trips? We recommend that you plan out trips you want to be on before registration opens. Then log into your separate CFO accounts from different computers or mobile devices and register for trips at the same time.
Convention Logistics
The Historic Cow Palace Inn
The convention will be held at the newly renovated Historic Cow Palace Inn. The Cow Palace is a stone’s throw from the Arkansas River, you can bird even when not on a field trip. Reservations with the CFO group code must be made by April 1, 2024.
Room options
View room details and all options on the Cow Palace website (see booking details below). All suites have pull-out couches to be able to sleep 4.
- King Room. $100/night
- Two Queens Room. $110/night
- Patio Suite (King Bed). $140/night
- Biz Suite. $160/night
- Deluxe Suite. $180/night
To get the conference rates, use group code b072693 or book through this link. Note that this link is automatically populated for check-in Wednesday, May 1st and check-out on Sunday, May 5th. If you want other nights, adjust the dates at the top of the page.
Reservations with the CFO group code must be made by April 1, 2024.
Hotel Room Cancelation Policy
To cancel a reservation, please call the Historic Cow Palace Inn at 719-691-6167.
- Reservations are fully refundable 48 hours prior to check-in.
- Reservations canceled 1 to 12 hours prior to check-in will be credited towards a future stay of equal or lesser value.
Additional Information From Hotel
- Check-in time: 3:00 p.m. We’ll be ready for you.
- Check-out time: 12:00 p.m. Seize the day, friend!
- Breathe easy. Historic Cow Palace Inn is a non-smoking property. This applies to both traditional smoking methods and all electronic delivery systems, including vapes, vaporizers, vape pens, hookah pens, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or e-cigs), e-pipes, and any variations of the foregoing regardless of the product’s name. Any smoking in the rooms or strong lingering smoking scents in rooms will result in a disappointed look and a $300 room cleaning fee.
Other Housing Options
There are other hotels in Lamar, CO. CFO does not have a room block reserved at other hotels.
There are camping options in or near Lamar. Most require reservations.
- There are several RV campgrounds in and around Lamar.
- John Martin Reservoir State Park - Point or Lake Hasty Campgrounds
Note that recent changes to SWA regulations and dispersed camping regulations may impact local areas. If you are looking for dispersed camping options, get information from the land managing agency. Don't just go based on someone's blog post!
Convention Hotel
The convention will be held at the newly renovated Historic Cow Palace Inn in Lamar, CO. Most convention events will occur here including the field trip departures, social, science session, silent auction, and banquet.
Historic Cow Palace Inn - 1301 N. Main Street, Lamar, CO 81052
Welcome Picnic
The Welcome Picnic will be held at Willow Creek Park in Lamar, Colorado. We will be at the pavilion on the northern end of the park, just south of the Lamar swimming pool. There is a gravel entry at the corner of Parkview Ave and Parkway Dr.
This is NOT where most mapping apps will direct you to Willow Creek Park on Rotary Way. If you follow your app, you will end up on the wrong side of Willow Creek without access to the Welcome Picnic.
Willow Creek Park Pavilion - Corner of Parkview Ave. & Parkway Dr.
A note on gluten-free meals: Please note that The Cow Palace kitchen cannot guarantee a gluten-free environment and does not offer gluten-free options for any of the catered events. Some items may be naturally gluten-free but they will not label any items as gluten-free due to possible cross-contamination.
Breakfasts
Grab & Go breakfasts will be available to pick up each morning. All breakfasts must be ordered when you register. Coffee and tea service will be available each morning.
Breakfast Bag - $14 - All breakfasts come with a choice of main and juice (cranberry, apple, or orange).
- Breakfast Burrito - egg, potato, cheese
- Breakfast Burrito - bacon, egg, potato, cheese
- Cinnamon Roll & Fruit
- Fruit & Yogurt Parfait
Lunches
Participants on all-day field trips will need to bring a lunch. Participants on half-day field trips may still wish to pack a lunch so that they can get to the start of the Science Session. Boxed lunches will be available to pick up each morning. All lunches must be ordered when you register.
Lunch Bag - $16
Friday Lunch Options
- Poke Bowl - ahi tuna, white rice, edamame, slaw, sweet soy
- Garden Salad - lettuce; carrots; green onions; grape tomatoes; choice of ranch, bleu cheese or Italian dressing
- Hummus Wrap & Chips - feta, lettuce, red pepper hummus, carrot, cucumber
- Italian Sandwich & Chips - pepperoni, salami, ham, lettuce, cheese, Italian dressing
- Cobb Salad - lettuce, egg, bacon, cheese, chicken, green onion, ranch
Saturday Lunch Options
- Poke Bowl - ahi tuna, white rice, edamame, slaw, sweet soy
- Garden Salad - lettuce; carrots; green onions; grape tomatoes; choice of ranch, bleu cheese or Italian dressing
- Hummus Wrap & Chips - feta, lettuce, red pepper hummus, carrot, cucumber
- Chicken Caesar Salad - romaine, chicken, parmesan, croutons, Caesar dressing
- Turkey Club & Chips - turkey, bacon, cheese, lettuce, garlic mayo
Sunday Lunch Options
- Poke Bowl - ahi tuna, white rice, edamame, slaw, sweet soy
- Garden Salad - lettuce; carrots; green onions; grape tomatoes; choice of ranch, bleu cheese or Italian dressing
- Hummus Wrap & Chips - feta, lettuce, red pepper hummus, carrot, cucumber
- Chicken Caesar Wrap & Chips - chicken, lettuce, parmesan, croutons, caesar
- Beef Horseradish Wrap & Chips - shaved prime rib, cheese, lettuce, horsey mayo
The Convention Banquet and Annual Meeting is a ticketed event – be sure to purchase your ticket, and choose your main course, when you complete your registration. There will be a no-host bar before and during the banquet.
A note on gluten-free meals: Please note that The Cow Palace kitchen cannot guarantee a gluten-free environment and does not offer gluten-free options for any of the catered events. Some items may be naturally gluten-free but they will not label any items as gluten-free due to possible cross-contamination.
Menu
Fajita Taco Bar
Build your own pork or chicken tacos on flour tortillas. Top them with beans, mixed peppers and onions, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and Morita chile salsa.
Butternut Squash Enchiladas (vegetarian)
This meal will be individually plated.
Veggie Linguine with Lemon Caper Cream Sauce (vegetarian)
This meal will be individually plated.
Chef’s Choice (vegan)
A vegan option is available and will be Chef’s Choice on the day of the banquet. This meal will be individually plated.
Dessert
All meals will end with a dessert of your choice: bread pudding with whiskey caramel sauce or a brownie.
Order your exclusive convention shirt or a CFO hat with your registration! The convention art featured on the shirts is the work of Radeaux and portrays species that are found in Colorado only in the Lamar area.
All shirts must be purchased when you register.
Short sleeve shirt (unisex) in black - $20
Short sleeve shirt (v-neck) in black - $20
Long sleeve shirt (unisex) in royal blue - $25
CFO logo hats in tan - $25
Science Session
Come learn about what is happening with our local birds from avian researchers working across Colorado. The scientific session will be held on Saturday afternoon. All convention registrants are welcome to attend.
Presentation Guidelines
Oral presentations should reflect original research or summarize existing unpublished information and should be presented in a manner that will interest both serious amateur and professional field ornithologists. All researchers, including students, are encouraged to present.
Talks relating to the following themes are solicited:
- Status, distribution, migration, and population dynamics of birds
- Systematics and biogeography of birds
- Ecology, behavior, and evolution of birds
- New information on avian field identification problems
- Science-based conservation and management of birds
- Techniques for field study of birds, including censusing, monitoring, and other methods; and results of studies applying such techniques.
All talks should identify study objectives, describe methods and data analysis, present results, discuss the significance of the research, and propose future research directions. Oral presentations will be allotted 15 minutes, including 3 minutes for questions and discussion.
Abstract Submission
The deadline is extended to 31 March 2024.
We invite abstracts for presentations to be given during the scientific session on Saturday, May 4th from 1-2:30 pm.
Abstracts should be 200-250 words and include a title, name of presenter(s), affiliation, email address, and a picture if possible. Presentation abstract submissions must be received by February 28th, 2024 for consideration at grants@cobirds.org .
All attendees will get a packet that includes a personalized schedule with the activities they signed up for, a name badge, and other items related to the convention. These packets can be picked up at the Welcome Picnic or in the Cow Palace Lobby at the info table.
The convention programs will be digital-only in 2024. Please download your program and bring it on a digital device or print it out before the convention.
Download: The convention packet will be available for download a few weeks before the convention.
All participants in the CFO 2024 convention are expected to:
- Abide by the CFO Code of Conduct
- Comply with the directions of the event leaders
Participants on 2024 Convention field trips are expected to:
- Stay with the group.
- Notify the trip leader and the driver of the vehicle in which I am riding, if carpooling, of any plans to leave the group.
- Make sure all carpool participants are in the vehicle when we leave any destination.
- Not undertake any endeavor that would endanger my health, or the health of others, as I know it.
- Observe all applicable rules of conduct, policy, regulation and law, whether on public or private lands.
- Adhere to the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics.
Safety Terms and Conditions
Staying Home When Appropriate
- Attendees should stay home if they have tested positive for COVID or are showing symptoms of COVID
- Monitor your health if you have had close contact with a person who had symptoms within the last 14 days
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
- Frequent hand washing for 20 seconds to ensure safety. Please cover your face when coughing or sneezing
Masks
- Wearing a mask during Convention events is not mandatory
- Masks are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected and has no symptoms. Please be cognizant of the health and safety concerns of others with whom you are participating in a shared event.
Non-smoking policy
Smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during the 2024 Convention, including field trips.
Pet Policy
No pets (other than service animals) are allowed during convention events, including field trips, workshops, socials, banquet, and science session.
Cancellation Refund Policy
CFO must receive written notification of registration cancellation on or by April 15th to receive a full refund. Deadlines for partial refunds for registration cancellation or modifications are April 20th (80% of total order) and April 25th (50% of total order).
Student & Youth Travel Awards
CFO offers youth and student travel scholarships to attend the CFO conventions. Find more details on how to apply.
Registration
Registration closes on April 15
Convention registration includes your all field trips and workshops, the Welcome Picnic, Friday evening social, and the Saturday scientific session. Field trip and workshop registrations are first-come, first-served; some trips or workshops may fill before you register.
All attendees to the banquet and keynote address by local conservation rancher and steward Dallas May must purchase a banquet ticket.
(Late Registration from April 16-25 costs $280 and shirts/hats/food cannot be purchased).
Registration fees for CFO Members
Registration fees for Non-Members
Learn about becoming a CFO member.
CFO members, please sign in to your account prior to registering to get your member discount.
Field trip & workshop leaders, please see your email with the subject line "CFO Convention Special Registration Information" regarding registration prior to using the form linked below to get your discounted registration rate.
All registrants, you will need to make your field trip, workshop, food, and shirt/hat selections when you register. Download the Registration Information Packet to see the field trip descriptions and more details.
I can't log in to my CFO account to register?
On the Member Login page, please select "Having trouble logging in?" (under the Log In button). You will be sent an email to the email associated with your account with directions on how to reset your password. If you don't get an email with a minute, please check your spam folder.
You can also set up your online CFO account in this same way if you have not done so already.
If you remain unable to access your account, please email membership@cobirds.org. We are a primarily volunteer-run organization so it may take us a few days to get back to you.
I want to register more than one person. How do I do this?
Each person must register from their own account and submit a separate registration. (The only exception is the ability to buy an additional banquet ticket for another person).
If you have two devices (computers, tablets, cell phones), we suggest you each log in to your account on a different device and register simultaneously to ensure the availability of trips, if you so choose. Otherwise, register and pay for one person, then log out, log into the other account, and register the other person.
CFO Members
To get the membership rate, each attendee must be a CFO member. CFO offers $15 household membership for any additional individuals living in the same household. Learn about household memberships.
Non-Members
If you are not a CFO member, simply fill out a registration form for the first person and then repeat the process again for other individuals. An account will be created for each individual.
I want to change something on my registration.
Please contact us with the needed change. Depending on the change, there may be additional costs associated (e.g., if you change to a field trip with a separate fee, or add on a t-shirt).
How do I sign up for field trips or a workshop?
The field trip and workshop sign ups are part of the registration process. On the registration form, you will choose from drop-down menus what field trips you would like to attend on which days.
Please review your registration after and ensure that you have registered for the correct field trips. Some field trips and workshops have an additional fee associated with them to cover trip-specific costs.
If you would like to change something email info@cobirds.org.
How do I access my registration after I have registered?
If you want to access your registration in the future you can access it by clicking on "Account" in the upper right corner of this page and then "Member Portal" (even if you aren't a CFO member). In your portal, there is a "registered events" link.
This applies to anyone with a CFO web account (e.g. you've registered for an event), even if they aren't a CFO member.
Click on "Details" next to the 2022 Pueblo Convention.