Chapter 10 Issues: Nongame, Threatened and Endangered Wildlife

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Comments - State downlisted from endangered to threatened in 1993. Delisting goals for Colorado: for at least 3 years from downlisting there should be a minimum of 70 nesting pairs (active nests) per year, annual recruitment rate above .30 fledged chicks per nesting pair and a minimum of 8% chicks in the fall population measured at the Hayden and Steamboat staging grounds. In 1995 there were 82 active nests, .14 fledged chicks per nest, and 3.73% of the fall population were chicks on the staging area. Documentation was not accomplished in 1996 or 1997. It is believed we will reach the recovery goals in 1998. If recovery is accomplisbed at that time, we would like to delist the cranes. BURROWING OWL Proposed Action - List as state threatened. Habitat - prairie grassland (especially prairie dog towns) CO Distribution /Use - Primarily Front Range and Eastern plains summer resident. Also occurs in western valleys and mountain parks. Comments - There is a fairly consistent decline nationwide. In Colorado, appears to be declining and has been extirpated in some areas. Species is listed as endangered in Minnesota, threatened in Mexico and endangered in Canada (probably extirpated in 1 Province). In surrounding states, it is listed as threatened or special concern. Over the last 50 years, there has been a 26 -50% loss of breeding habitat. Threats include: loss in both size and number of prairie dog towns, plague, active prairie dog control, impacts from population growth and expansion. KIT FOX Proposed Action - List as state endangered Habitat - and and semiarid desert shrublands CO Distribution - Western Colorado, primarily in Mesa, Garfield, Delta and Montrose counties Comments - Based on surveys of distribution and abundance conducted between 1992 -1996, it is estimated the total kit fox population in western Colorado (excluding Ute Reservation lands) may be less than 100 animals. Status of kit fox in areas adjacent to Colorado is unknown. Threats include: predation from coyotes, development of irrigated agriculture, habitat fragmentation, and possibly OHV use, and adequacy of prey base. There appear to be significant areas of suitable habitat that are not occupied. PREBLE'S MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE Proposed Action - State list as endangered Habitat - riparian corridors, wet meadows, moist lowlands with dense vegetation CO Distribution - Front Range from El Paso County to Larimer County. Specifically in Larimer (Rabbit Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Lone Tree Creek), Weld (Lone Tree Creek), Boulder (St. Wain and tributaries /ditches, South Boulder Creek and tributaries /ditches, Coal Creek, Rock Creek), Jefferson (Coal Creek, Rock Creek, Walnut Creek, Woman Creek, Ralston Creek), Douglas (East Plum Creek, West Plum Creek, Plum Creek, Willow Creek and Little Willow Creek, Indian Creek), Elbert (Running Creek), and El