Climate Change Adaptation - Colorado
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Climate Change History
In November of 2007, Governor Bill Ritter put forward the Colorado Climate Action Plan. Although most of the plan is organized around the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation), there is explicit mention of wetlands, water resources, and the adaptation of these to the impacts of climate change.
Current & Future Action
The Adaptation section of the Colorado Climate Action Plan calls for scientific inquiry into the specifics of Colorado’s climate future. Consistent with this, the Colorado Division of Wildlife is working to refine its understanding of the possible impacts from climate change on crucial habitats and movement corridors. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) is mapping priority wetlands on a river-basin basis, statewide. The project is intended to replace out of date, National Wetlands Inventory maps which are now 20-30 years old. CDOW also plans to conduct a climate change update to the 2006 State Wildlife Action Plan.
Pilot Programs/Current Studies
The state does not, as yet, have any specific pilots or case studies dealing with wetlands and climate change.
For More Information
The Colorado Climate Action Plan is available at: http://rechargecolorado.com/images/uploads/pdfs/5f7e2afe6caecefd248d140d0514895a.pdf
For more information about climate change and wetlands issues:
Tom Schreiner, CDOW Climate Change Coordinator - Tom.Schreiner@state.co.us
Brian Sullivan, CDOW Wetlands Program Coordinator – Brian.Sullivan@state.co.us
Matt Kondratieff, CDOW Stream Restoration Coordinator – Matt.Kondratieff@state.co.us
Chris Sturm, Colorado Water Conservation Board Stream Restoration Coordinator – Chris.Sturm@state.co.us
Dick Parachini, Water Quality Control Division Watershed Program Manager - dick.parachini@state.co.us