Page 84 - Ranger Manual 2017_Neat

Chapter
13

Open Space and Mountain Parks

Wildlife Response

Purpose

Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) land is a sanctuary where wildlife species can thrive, and
rangers should take this into consideration when responding to wildlife calls. This chapter provides
general guidelines for OSMP wildlife responses on OSMP properties and within Boulder city limits,
with the understanding human-wildlife conflict within the city limits may be handled differently
than on adjacent OSMP-managed land. Rangers will work cooperatively with State of Colorado
Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to maintain and protect human health and safety, while providing
wildlife management based on the best available science and adhering to the following policy:

OSMP Charter Sec. 176. Open space purposes - Open space land.
(a) Preservation or restoration of natural areas characterized by or including terrain,
geologic formations, flora, or fauna that are unusual, spectacular, historically
important, scientifically valuable, or unique, or that represent outstanding or rare
examples of native species.

Legal Considerations & Authority

State of Colorado wildlife officers and their agents have the authority to respond and take actions
related to wildlife. Rangers will assist Colorado wildlife officers to provide excellent customer
service to the Boulder community and its wildlife. Rangers will assist CPW with wildlife issues,
human-wildlife conflict, and occasional instances related to taking wildlife from or near OSMP
properties illegally as noted below:

Title 33. Parks and Wildlife: Wildlife Article 6. 33-6-101. Powers and duties of
officers
(1) Every Colorado wildlife officer or other commissioned officer of the division
shall enforce the provisions of articles 1 to 6 of this title. Every other peace officer,
as defined in section 33-1-102 (32), may assist the Colorado wildlife officers in
the enforcement of articles 1 to 6 of this title. Each such officer has the full power

84