CFO Convention 2026
Loveland, Colorado

 

The 2026 CFO Convention will be held May 28 - 31, 2026.

 

May. A most magical month for spring migration in Colorado. And with our 2026 "Peaks to Prairie" Convention, you'll get to experience much of what our state has to offer. With our field trip options you could see a high-altitude bird like an American Three-toed Woodpecker on one day, and a grassland specialty like the Chestnut-collared Longspur the next day. Combine our extensive field trip offerings with a robust science session, a lively Exhibit Hall, and opportunities to connect with fellow birders, and you'll experience a memorable birding event you won't soon forget. Join us!

 

Banner image: Photo by Charlie Lee

Registration

Member registration will open on Sunday, March 8 at 7 am.

General registration will open on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 am.

 

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Why should I Attend?

Registration Packet

Please read before you register!

The registration packet will include meal options, unique convention shirts, all field trip descriptions, and more. Please review this information before you start the registration process. 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.

The Registration Packet will be available closer to registration opening in early March.

Schedule

The schedule is subject to change. Check the schedule on the website or the convention app for any changes prior to the convention.  All activities are at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Conference Center except as noted. 

Thursday May 28, 2026

7:00 am - 4:00 pm Arrival field trips
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Welcome picnic w/ packet pick up - Centennial Park, Loveland (Catering starts at 6 pm)

Friday May 29, 2026

4:30 am - 9:00 am Breakfast Buffet (hotel guests only) - Cafe
5:00 am - 7:00 am Lunch pick up - Lake Loveland
5:00 am - 6:50 am Info Table w/ packet pick up - High Meadows area
5:15 am - 4:00 pm Field trips (full & half day trips) - High Meadows area
2:00 pm - 7:30 pm Exhibit Hall pen - Snowberry/Goldenglow
4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Info Table w/ packet pick up - High Meadows area
4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Silent Auction - Snowberry/Goldenglow
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Social - High Meadows area

Saturday May 30, 2026

4:30 am - 10:30 am Breakfast Buffet (hotel guests only) - Cafe
5:00 am - 7:00 am Lunch pick up - Lake Loveland
5:00 am - 6:50 am Info Table w/ packet pick up - High Meadows area
5:15 am - 4:00 pm Field trips (full & half day trips) - High Meadows area
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Exhibits/Vendors open - Snowberry/Goldenglow
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Silent Auction (last chance!) - Snowberry/Goldenglow
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm Info Table - High Meadows area
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm Science Session - Riverbirch
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Banquet & CFO Annual Meeting - Riverbirch
8:00 pm - 8:30 pm Silent Auction Payment/Pickup - Snowberry/Goldenglow

Sunday May 31, 2026

4:30 am - 10:30 am Breakfast Buffet (hotel guests only) - Cafe
5:00 am - 7:00 am Lunch pick up - Lake Loveland
5:00 am - 6:50 am Info Table w/ packet pick up - High Meadows area
5:00 am - 6:15 am Silent Auction Payment/Pickup - Snowberry/Goldenglow
5:15 am - 4:00 pm
Field trips (full & half day trips) - High Meadows area

Monday June 1, 2026

10:00 am - 4:00 pm State Forest/Arapaho NWR Trip - Walden, CO

Convention Logistics

Locations

Convention Hotel

Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Conference Center -
4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, CO

You can find a link to book a room at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland on the convention webpage under Logistics, then Housing to get a reduced CFO block rate. The CFO room block is set for check in Thursday May 28, 2026 and check out Sunday May 31, 2026. If you want to stay outside of these dates (e.g. you want to stay for the Monday trip), make sure to manually change the dates by clicking on Edit Stay near the top of the page when making your reservation.
 
If you do not use the website link to make your reservation, you will not be eligible for the CFO room block discount. Reservations must be made by April 28, 2026 to get the discount. 

 

 

Housing
Shirts & Hats
Transportation
Science Sessions

Student Events

Travel Awards

In addition to the discounted student rates (anyone enrolled in K-12 or a college/university), CFO offers student travel scholarships to attend the CFO conventions. Find more details on how to apply.

Science Session

The Science Session offers an opportunity to present research and conservation project results in a low-pressure environment. Many of the presenters each year present work they completed while being a student. This is also a great way for those not yet involved in research to learn about it and meet people they can ask questions regarding how to get involved, choose an undergraduate or graduate program, or how to turn an interest in birds into a career.

The deadline for the Science Session abstract submission is March 5, 2026. See the Science Session tab in the Logistics table for more details.

Sponsors

CFO thanks the following sponsors for supporting the 2026 Convention in Loveland. All sponsors will have a table in the Snowberry/Goldenglow room, please visit them!

Snowy Egret Sponsor

Western Kingbird Sponsor

Western Kingbird Sponsor

Exhibitors

All exhibitors will have a table in the Snowberry/Goldenglow room, please visit them!

Instagram account: @conservationclay
Instagram account: @conservationclay

Exhibitor Information

Exhibitors at the CFO Convention will be located in the Snowberry/Goldenglow room adjacent to the Rotunda and Riverbirch rooms where other convention activities are occurring. This will yield high foot traffic and the opportunity to interact with the vast majority of convention attendees.

Exhibitors are responsible for complying with any applicable city, county, or state taxes on items sold at the convention.

Exhibit Hall Hours
Friday, May 29th: 2:00 - 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 30th: 12:00 - 5:00 pm