Hunters and anglers will have 120 acres in Park County to explore after Colorado Parks and Wildlife acquired the site.
The area, located about six miles southeast of Jefferson and abutted by Michigan Creek and County Road 77, is set to become Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area and will be managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. According to a release from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’s office, the land contributes to critical wildlife habitat continuity with neighboring Bureau of Land Management and National Forest Service Lands in Park Co.
“Protecting our iconic great outdoors for future generations to enjoy is one of my administration’s top priorities. Colorado is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the nation, and I am thrilled to continue our state’s legacy to preserve land and protect our great outdoors. This new State Wildlife Area protects our natural resources while offering Colorado hunters and anglers more recreational opportunities,” said Polis in the release.
The journey toward Colorado Parks and Wildlife acquiring the Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area began in 2023 when a private landowner approached Western Rivers Conservancy to donate the land toward conservation efforts. Following that, Western Rivers Conservancy placed a conservation easement on the property toward the end of 2024 and held title to the land until conveying it as a donation to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The Michigan Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River and Tarryall Creek and is home to a naturally-reproducing population of brook and brown trout. The area also offers increased hunting access to deer and elk in Game Management Unit 50.
“The donation of Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area is a win for conservation,” said Mark Lamb, Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in the release. “We are grateful for partners like Western Rivers Conservancy and Colorado Open Lands in the continued effort to preserve habitat and increase public lands for hunting and fishing. We will work to try to have Michigan Creek SWA open to the public by the end of the year.”
The Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area is the second land acquisition in Park County between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Western Rivers Conservancy. Last year, the two entities acquired the Collard Ranch State Wildlife Area, a piece of land that totals 1,980 acres of scenic habitat conserved.
Funding for the Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area came from the Park County Land and Water Trust Fund.
“Conserving such a scenic and healthy stretch of Michigan Creek in an area so many Coloradans treasure is something to celebrate,” said Allen Law, Western Rivers Conservancy Interior West Project Manager, in the release. “Western Rivers Conservancy is thrilled we could expand our efforts in the South Platte Basin to help fish and wildlife thrive and to create better access to South Park’s rivers and open spaces.”
