Big game populations are managed to achieve population and sex ratio objectives established for Data Analysis Units. A Data Analysis Unit (DAU) is the geographic area that represents the year-around range of a big game herd and includes all of the seasonal ranges for that specific herd. Each DAU is typically composed of several Game Management Units (GMUs), but in some cases a single GMU constitutes a DAU.

The purpose of an HMP is to integrate the management goals of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) with the concerns and ideas of land management agencies and interested public to determine how each big game herd should be managed. Each HMP will determine population size objectives and sex ratio objectives (bull:cow ratios) for that given herd for the next 10 years, to guide management. 

Traditionally, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff have presented one Herd Management Plan at a time for approval to the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC). In order to address the large numbers of HMPs that need to be updated, staff began a new approach in 2022 to develop Regional HMP roll-ups for each big game species. These Regional plans (NW, SW, NE, SE) describe the significant management issues in the region, what public input was used to develop proposed objectives, and the individual HMPs for each herd within the region.

This form is to provide feedback to CPW on herd population size and elk management issues in elk DAUs within the Northwest Region for incorporation into the new draft plans. All NW Region Elk DAU HMPs are currently being  revised and updated. Draft plans will be available for public comment prior to presentation before the PWC. 

Existing CPW Herd Management Plans are available online at: https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/pages/herdmanagementplans.aspx