Chaffee County to submit comments urging habitat connectivity in CPW mule deer plan

Chaffee County commissioners agreed July 14 to send formal comments to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) on draft Southeast Colorado mule deer herd management plans that cover two herd units in the county.

Kyle, a CPW representative, told the board the agency proposes revising population objectives for the Cottonwood Creek (D15) herd from 6,300277,700 to 3,000275,000 and for the D16 herd from 16,0002720,000 to 10,0002714,000. He said CPW bases the recommendations on long-term habitat changes, fire-suppression effects and increasing human development that reduce available winter range and fawn survival.

Commissioners said they supported submitting comments that emphasize solutions rather than only reduced population targets. "What we would encourage CPW to include in these plans are the potential benefits of increased habitat connectivity," Kyle said, outlining the county27s recommended additions. Commissioners pressed for language that highlights transportation-related measures to reduce vehicle-deer collisions and noted local economic and safety harms from such crashes; the presentation cited average collision costs in the $15,00027$18,000 range and public feedback showing strong local concern about collisions.

The board directed staff to submit a comment letter urging CPW to add language about habitat connectivity, migration-route protections and collision-reduction strategies—such as reduced design speeds, wildlife passage structures and seasonal closures—while recognizing the county27s local habitat-connectivity work. Comments on the draft plans are due at the end of July.

The county emphasized that while CPW may need to adjust population objectives in some units, the county27s comment will encourage a clearer focus on actionable, collaborative measures that support both wildlife and local economic drivers such as hunting.