Special to the HT
RBC | Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), in collaboration with the Colorado State Parks Employee Protective Association (CSPEPA) and the Colorado Wildlife Employees Protective Association (CWEPA), recently honored 29 employees for their outstanding service and commitment to protecting the state’s citizens and natural resources.
These annual awards recognize CPW officers, rangers and staff who demonstrate exceptional dedication to preserving and enhancing Colorado’s outdoors and show a willingness to put their lives on the line protecting the people that enjoy them. Recipients are acknowledged for their expertise in biology, science, law enforcement, leadership, and wildlife or park management, as well as their strong public service ethic, bravery and the respect of their peers.
“Our employees are the heart of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and their unwavering dedication to protecting our state’s natural resources and citizens is truly inspiring,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “These awards recognize not just their skill and professionalism, but their bravery, leadership and selfless service. Whether it’s saving lives, preserving wildlife, or fostering the next generation of conservationists, our team embodies the very best of public service.”
John D. Hart Wildlife Officer of the Year
The John D. Hart Wildlife Officer of the Year Award was named after a legendary wildlife officer who retired as the agency’s assistant director in 1959. This year, District Wildlife Officer Ross McGee stood out for his dedication to community engagement, tackling some of Colorado’s most complex wildlife issues, and exemplifying the timeless values of a Colorado wildlife officer. He makes conservation relevant by involving young people in projects like habitat restoration, achieving 100% hunter education enrollment for Meeker’s 6th graders, and recruiting seasonal staff. Officer McGee handles the state’s largest big game migration corridor challenges—such as solar development and reclamation at the 50,000-acre ColoWyo Coal Mine—while fostering private-public partnerships that opened up over 4,500 acres for public hunting and wildlife surveys. Known for his firm yet humble law enforcement approach, Officer McGee has resolved multi-state poaching cases and managed serious depredation incidents, all while building strong landowner relationships. As a firearms instructor, trainer, and previously decorated wildlife officer, he leads by example and never hesitates to help fellow officers, truly embodying the spirit of the John D. Hart Wildlife Officer of the Year.
