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<br />'Divisional Correspondence Only <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />DEPARTMENT OF NA TURJ\!. RESOURCES <br /> <br />DATE: November 13, 1996 <br /> <br />TO: Eddie Kochman <br /> <br />FROM: Tom Nesler <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Native Colorado fishes status and recommendations <br /> <br />Attached is a summary table of the existing status of all Colorado's native fish species that are being <br />considered for management. The list is in a priority ranking based on the COVERS Species ranking <br />model total biology score, which is the current index of relative imperilment of each species at risk of <br />continued decline. The assessment of "population status" is an interpretation of the results of narrative <br />included in the ranking criteria for each species also included within the COVERS model. I have made a <br />tentative recommendation for each species concerning potential change in the State listing designation. <br />You will note that I am recommending change in status for 11 species. The recommendation to downlist <br />two Colorado River endangered fish species would reflect the long term stability documented for <br />populations of each within Colorado, but the more strict federal listing would still take precedence. <br />Seven species would be added to the state list as either endangered or threatened, and two species would <br />be removed from the special concern category to no concern. <br /> <br />f1Peed to emphasize the draft nature of this summary table at this time and the ongoing work within the <br />Division to develop consistent criteria for designating species status among all the major vertebrate taxa. <br />I am still coordinating input and potential revisions to this table from our field management staff, and <br />expect to solicit external review from a select group of expertise outside the Division. While I am <br />conducting this for the fish species, similar assessment and review should be anticipated for herptiles, <br />birds, and mammals. As such, this information is appropriate for discussion purposes only in evaluating <br />the potential resources needed for species conservation management for fishes, and associated hatchery <br />propagation assistance. I welcome any questions concerning the content of this table. <br /> <br />Since most of the questions needing resolution concern eastern plains fish species, I expect to finalize this <br />summary by April 1997. This presumes the development and acceptance of consistent criteria for <br />designating species status will also be accomplished within this time frame. <br /> <br />. <br />