Colorado Parks & Wildlife Conduct Helicopter Flights for Game Herd Assessments

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has begun conducting low-altitude helicopter flights across southern Colorado as part of its annual big game herd assessments. The survey area stretches from Trinidad to Leadville.

Biologists use these aerial counts to determine how many deer, fawns, and elk calves have survived to about six months of age—key indicators of overall herd health.

Residents can expect to see low-flying helicopters over South Park, the Upper Arkansas River Valley, the Pikes Peak region, and the Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountains while the assessments are underway.