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Natural Resources

 

Vision

Colorado will be a national leader in promoting the responsible use and conservation of the state’s natural resources for this and future generations.

Mission

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources’ mission is to develop, preserve, and enhance the state’s natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations.
 

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW): The mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado's natural resources.
  • Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB): The Colorado Water Conservation Board's mission is to conserve, develop, protect, and manage Colorado's water for present and future generations.
  • Division of Forestry - Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS): The mission of the Colorado State Forest Service is to achieve stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations.
  • Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS): The mission of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety is to protect the public, miners and the environment during current mining operations, restore abandoned mines, and to ensure that all mined land is reclaimed to beneficial use.
  • Division of Water Resources (DWR): The Division of Water Resources will administer the waters of the State to maximize lawful beneficial use, ensure that dams and water wells are properly constructed and safe, and provide information about water resources to the public.
  • Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC): The Energy and Carbon Management Commission regulates the development and production of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources.
  • State Land Board (SLB): The State Land Board manages an endowment of assets held in perpetual, intergenerational public trusts for the financial support of Colorado’s public schools and other public institutions.
     

Department Description

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for the management of the water, land, wildlife, minerals/energy resources, and outdoor recreation of the state. In addition to the Executive Director’s Office, DNR has seven divisions:

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
  • Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
  • Division of Forestry - Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS)
  • Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS)
  • Division of Water Resources (DWR)
  • Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC)
  • State Land Board (SLB)

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is also a part of DNR, administered as a special program within the Executive Director’s Office. Collectively, these divisions carry out the Department’s responsibilities for natural resource management, which includes providing access to and protecting or preserving Colorado’s natural resources.

Performance Plans