Past Colorado Birding Challenges
2022 Challenge
Funds raised from the 2022 Colorado Birding Challenge were donated to Gunnison Basin-Sagebrush Ecosystem Alliance cheatgrass removal and sagebrush habitat restoration. In addition to Gunnison Sage-Grouse recovery, this will support habitat recovery for other sagebrush-dependent species including Brewer's Sparrow, Sagebrush Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, Green-tailed Towhee and Vesper Sparrow.
Big Day Category Winners
Automobile
Winner: The Ususal Suspects
% of Par: 99%
Total Species: 127
County Birded: Dolores
Team Members: Glenn Dunmire & Mike Thomas
Green
Winner: The Shining Mountain Ramblers
% of Par: 92%
Total Species: 83
County Birded: Pitkin County
Team Members: John Anderson & Bryan Gieszl
Youth
Winner: The Serious Sparrows
% of Par: 23%
Total Species: 44
County Birded: Larimer
Team Members: Ezekiel, Ellison, and Weyland Lynum
Big Sit
Winner: The Kingery Big Sit
% of Par: 57%
Total Species: 96
County Birded: Douglas
Team Members: Hugh and Urling Kingery
Fundraising Champion - Team
Winner: The White-bearded Helmetcrests
Funds raised: $8,260
County Birded: Larimer
Team Members: Nickolas Komar, Doug Swartz, Jay Breidt, John Shenot
Fundraising Champion - Individual
Winner: Bryan Gieszl
Funds raised: $4,193
County Birded: Pitkin County
Photo/ Audio
[No 2022 Participants]
2021 Challenge
The inaugural Colorado Birding Challenge was a success thanks to everyone to participated and donated.
Grassland Conservation
Funds raised from the 2021 Colorado Birding Challenge were donated to Bird Conservancy of the Rockies to support two of their ongoing efforts.
-
- Restoration of degraded grasslands in northern Mexico to help provide suitable habitat for wintering Colorado grassland birds whose populations are declining due to decreasing habitat
-
- Expand the Motus network by building a tower to help track the migratory routes, breeding sites, and wintering locations of threatened grassland bird species. This information will help focus future conservation efforts.
Big Day Category Winners
Automobile
Winner: Team Ouray
% of Par: 98.9%
Total Species: 92
County Birded: Ouray
Team Members: CFO's WFO Liaison Don Marsh, Cliff Utech, and Kent Nelson
There were 39 teams that competed in the Automobile category covering 35 different Colorado counties!
Green
Winner: The Masked Trogons
% of Par: 56%
Total Species: 108
County Birded: Larimer
Team Members: CFO President Nick Komar and CFO Board Director Greg Osland
Mode of transport: Foot, Bike
Teams in this category reported observing birds on foot, from bikes, and by kayak!
Photo/Audio
Winner: Team JPEG Juncos.
% of Par: 60%
Total Species: 94
County Birded: Arapahoe
Team Members: Rob Raker and Mitchell Bailey
Youth
Winner: Crystal River's Wild Scenics
% of Par: 63%
Species: 74
County Birded: Garfield
Team Members: Mary Harris, Madalynn Connor, George Waaler and Katie Daniels