Special to the HT
RBC | The Colorado Wildlife Council has named the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation its 2026 Conservationist of the Year, recognizing nearly four decades of conservation work in Colorado.
The award honors organizations that have made significant, measurable contributions to environmental conservation in the state.
Since 1987, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has partnered with public agencies, private landowners and volunteers to conserve wildlife habitat and improve public access across Colorado. According to the Colorado Wildlife Council, the organization has completed 922 projects valued at more than $213 million, conserving or enhancing more than 514,000 acres of habitat and opening or improving public access to more than 120,000 acres.
“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s impact on Colorado is not measured in intentions or ambitions — it is measured in acres protected, corridors secured and a community deeply connected to Colorado’s wildlife heritage,” nominator Luke Weidel said in a statement.
The organization also supports wildlife research and management efforts, including GPS migration mapping and virtual fencing technology, and maintains 30 active chapters across Colorado that assist with habitat improvement projects and fence removal efforts.
The Colorado Wildlife Council was established by the state legislature in 1998 and is composed of representatives from hunting, fishing, conservation, agricultural and other stakeholder groups. The council’s mission is to promote awareness of wildlife, wildlife management and conservation in Colorado. The program is funded through a $1.50 education surcharge on hunting and fishing licenses.
Council members said the award recognizes the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s long-standing commitment to conserving wildlife habitat and maintaining Colorado’s outdoor heritage for future generations.