Bighorn Festival · Colorado Springs

When: February 9, 2020
This free event celebrates the fact that our majestic state mammal is often seen within the Colorado Springs city limits! Find out more about the amazing Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep! Look for bighorns using binoculars and scopes, take a guided nature walk that focuses on bighorn sheep, hear presentations about bighorn sheep biology and the Rampart and Pikes Peak herds, take an auto tour through Queens Canyon, and experience a bighorn ‘touch table’. For more information, visit the Web site at www.gardenofgods.com, or call 719.634.6666.

High Plains Snow Goose Festival · Lamar

When: February 6-9, 2020
The lesser snow geese you will see at the High Plains Snow Goose Festival are part of the Western Central Flyway population that are on their way back to the Canadian Arctic where they nest. This flock winters in southeastern Colorado, New Mexico, the Texas panhandle and northern Mexico. The festival offers tours, educational programs, presentations, arts and crafts, and a banquet! Contact lamarchamber@bresnan.net or visit the festival’s Web site at www.highplainssnowgoose.com for details.

Monte Vista Crane Festival · Monte Vista

When: March 6-8, 2020
“The festival hosts wildlife experts, local naturalists, and biologists who present free educational workshops at the Monte Vista Middle School, while flocks of dancing sandhills assemble in the neighboring farm fields, just east of town. Bus tours to the nearby refuge and adjacent farmlands provide visitors with the opportunity to view this spectacle up close and personal, with a knowledgeable local guide. Special tours feature raptor identification, sunset trips to view cranes, a visit to a local potato warehouse (with free potatoes) and visits to closed areas of the refuge for Crane Fest participants.” From the festival’s Web site. For a listing of scheduled workshops, registration information, and more, go to mvcranefest.org/ or call 719.852.2731.

Annual Eckert Crane Days · Eckert

When: TBD – March
Greater sandhill cranes in small and large flocks glide into Heart’s Basin of the Surface Creek Valley, and land at Fruitgrowers Reservoir east of Eckert. Most of the 20,000+ migrating birds come to the reservoir for an overnight stay to rest, feed, and regroup, relying on the reservoir’s water and wetlands for protection, and adjacent agricultural lands for food. The following morning they lift off in an organized mayhem of flight and sound that cannot be forgotten. Get schedules, maps, information about other wildlife seen at this time of year, lodging suggestions, and more at www.eckertcranedays.com.

Dinosaur Ridge Hawkwatch—Lakewood/Morrison

When: Mid-March to mid-May
Volunteers and researchers from Bird Conservancy of the Rockies help visitors search the sky above the Dakota Ridge Hogback (Dinosaur Ridge) for hawks, eagles, and vultures while sharing why birds have chosen this migratory path. Tour involves a short, but steep, hike up the ridge to a viewing vantage point. For specifics, go to site rmbo.org.

Prairie Chicken Watching tours with Colorado Parks and Wildlife · Wray

When: Weekends, March 26 – April 25
Unique opportunity to watch greater prairie chicken courtship dances as the sun comes up on the eastern plains. Guided tours include evening educational program presented by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and hosted by the Wray Museum. Early morning bus trip takes participants to specially designed viewing blind for optimal experience. Reservations are required. Cost varies from $120 to $135 per person; includes motel room. To register visit: www.wraychamber.net or call the Wray Chamber of Commerce at 970-332-3484.

Karval Mountain Plover Festival

When: April 24-26, 2020
Karval, CO
Join us on prairie for the 2nd Annual Mountain Plover Festival in Karval. Events include guided tours, wildlife watching, western entertainment, and country hospitality. For more information and a registration form, please visit the Karval Community Alliance website.

Sharp-tailed Grouse Viewing · Hayden

When: Mid-April through mid-May
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers limited guided tours to view sharp-tailed grouse near Hayden. Tours are provided by the local district wildlife manager; participants must arrange for meals and accommodations on their own. Hayden is located in the Yampa Valley between Steamboat Springs and Craig. Information about the area is available at haydenco.areaguides.net. To request a tour, call 970.276-3338 and leave a message.

Greater Sage-grouse Viewing · Walden

When: Late April and early May
Guided viewing trips offered; tours are limited to 20 people per day, so it’s best to register early. Each tour begins at 6:30 p.m. the evening before the viewing trip, with a meal and a short educational program provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Participants meet before dawn the next morning for the trip to the sage grouse lek. Tour fees are paid to the Walden Chamber of Commerce and cover the cost of meals, accommodations, and access to state land board property. Lodging will be arranged when you call to register. For details, call the Walden (North Park) Chamber of Commerce at 970.723.4600.

Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival · Cortez

When: May 13-17, 2020
Take tours of local sites, including Mesa Verde, Denny Lake, McElmo Canyon, Ute Mountain tribal Park, and many more; hear presentations about protecting birds, backyard feeders; attend a bird-oriented art show; learn bird songs! Opening reception, guest speakers, and some meals provided. For further information, visit http://www.mesaverdecountry.com/tourism/festivals/birding/birdfest.html or write to cultural@fone.net.

Canon City Blossom Festival · Canon City

When: April 29-30, May 1,2,3 2020
Join the southern Colorado small town for an old fashioned spring time event. Parades, Jazz & Marching Band competitions, arts & crafts fair, local business events & booths are there for your entertainment. The USFS, BLM & Colorado Parks and Wildlife are there as well to provide information about outstanding wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation opportunities available in the Royal Gorge region. For further information, visit their website

Hummingbird Festival · Colorado Springs

When: May 10, 2018
Free, one-day event held at the Starsmore Discovery Center, featuring children’s activities, craft projects, face painting, live entertainment, climbing wall, Ute tipi and Ute craft project, native plant sale, hummingbird viewing bus tour, food and nature product vendors, and much, much more. Fun for the whole family! For details, go to the festival Web site or write to Phyllis McKee.

International Migratory Bird Day Statewide

When: Mid-May
Not an event for Colorado exclusively, International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) is celebrated worldwide, with events in Colorado sometimes associated with it or occurring at the same time. For details about local events, or to learn how you can organize and register you own celebration, visit the IMBD Web site.