Denver, CO– The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will vote on the final implementation plan for the merger between Colorado State Parks and the Division of Wildlife at its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9.

The meeting is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hunter Education Building on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife campus at 6060 Broadway in Denver. Commissioners will reconvene Thursday afternoon for a workshop to discuss strategic priorities for the agency.

Development of the merger plan outlined in the 240-page implementation document began in April, 2011 with the creation of a merger Transition Team comprised of key members of Colorado State Parks and the Division of Wildlife. In July, employee work groups were asked to look at specific functions of the two former agencies and identify alternatives enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of agency operations. A draft merger plan was presented to the Parks and Wildlife Commission in January.

The final merger implentation plan covers the integration of biologists and scientists; capitol development; customer service; field operations; financial services; invasive species; marketing, creative services and public information; property evaluation; volunteers, interpretation and environmental education; water, real estate and geographic information services.

At key points during the process, DNR sought input from employees, members of the public and organizations, including at the outset of the merger, during development of recommendations for a legislative declaration, the agency mission, permanent Commission composition as well as after presentation of the preliminary draft and draft merger implementation plans.

The public will be offered a final opportunity to comment on the plan before the Commission will be asked to approve it.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is a 14-member board appointed by the governor. The Parks and Wildlife Commission sets regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks wildlife programs. To view the complete agenda for the February Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting, including the merger implementation plan, please go to the Commission web page at:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/ParksWildlifeCommission/Archives/2012/Pages/Feb9-10_2012.aspx.

The Parks and Wildlife Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. The first three meetings of the year will take place in the Hunter Education Building at 6060 Broadway in Denver. For the remainder of 2012, the commission will hold meetings in Pueblo, Grand Junction, Craig, Sterling, Gunnison, Glenwood Springs, Durango, Yuma and Colorado Springs.

Members of the public who are unable to attend Commission meetings or workshops can listen to the proceedings through an Internet link.   This opportunity is provided to keep constituents better informed about the development of regulations by the Board and how they are working with Parks and Wildlife staff to manage parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency.

To access the live audio feed during the meeting, click on the “listen to live audio” link at the bottom of the Commission webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/ParksWildlifeCommission/Pages/Commission.aspx.