The award is named after the agency’s renowned game warden turned assistant director who strove to protect and improve Colorado’s wildlife as fervently as he sought out poachers and other wildland violators. Hart retired in 1959.
Current and former staff who worked with Petersburg during his 13-year tenure as a CPW district wildlife manager in Area 1, near Conifer and Georgetown, nominated him for the honor.
Among other achievements, Petersburg was lauded for his efforts to bring together multiple in- and out-of-state agencies to carry out a three-day big game check station on I-70 last October described as “one of the largest and most successful check stations in Colorado history.”
Petersburg’s work to secure nearly 200 acres of private property in Clear Creek County as a State Wildlife Area (SWA) further distinguished his work.
“His ability to bring all parties to the table over a controversial issue will benefit the citizens for Colorado for generations by securing access to a special place along Colorado’s Front Range,” the nomination stated.
Coworkers expressed admiration at Petersburg’s reliance on his Christian faith to endure personal struggles while serving his family and meeting professional obligations. During his acceptance speech, Petersburg noted that his last time standing at a podium before CPW officers had been at a fundraising event three years before. Then, his head had been shaved in support of his son, Boden, who had undergone surgery and radiation for a brain tumor and who had lost his own hair during chemotherapy treatments.
“Ty has always been a strong advocate for protecting the wildlife resource, but even a greater advocate for making God and family his first priority,” the nomination stated. “Ty has dealt with tragedy and difficult family health challenges over his career that would have crippled others. His ability to persevere and find a way to thrive as a husband, father, friend and officer are a testimony to his tremendous depth of character, integrity and faith.”
Nominators also cited Petersburg’s selfless leadership and depth of knowledge in a range of fields, including biology, law enforcement, firearm instruction and customer service as professional strengths.
Last fall, Petersburg was promoted to the position of area wildlife manager for Area 4, near Fort Collins.
Petersburg, a 1997 Rangely High School graduate, and his wife, Stephanie, a 1996 RHS graduate, have two boys, Boden, 7, and Lucas, 4.
