Divisions
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
The mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado's natural resources.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife habitat through acquisitions and partnerships, provides technical assistance to private and other public landowners concerning wildlife and habitat management and develops programs to understand, protect and recover threatened and endangered species.
CPW also administers the state's trail program and registers boats, snowmobiles, off-highway vehicles and river outfitters. Parks and Wildlife employees and their partners work together to provide ongoing and outstanding customer service through recreational programs, amenities, and services. Regulations are established by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.
Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) was created nearly 75 years ago to provide policy direction on water issues. The CWCB is Colorado’s most comprehensive water information resource. The agency maintains expertise in a broad range of programs and provides technical assistance to further the utilization of Colorado’s waters.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) represents each major water basin, Denver and other state agencies in our joint effort to use water wisely and protect our water for future generations.
Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS)
The mission of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety is to protect the public, miners and the environment during current mining operations, restore abandoned mines, and to ensure that all mined land is reclaimed to beneficial use.
The division is committed to balance the need for mineral resource production with protection of the public, environment and Colorado’s natural resources.
Division of Water Resources (DWR)
The Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR), also known as the Office of the State Engineer, administers water rights, issues water well permits, represents Colorado in interstate water compact proceedings, monitors streamflow and water use, approves construction and repair of dams and performs dam safety inspections, issues licenses for well drillers and assures the safe and proper construction of water wells, and maintains numerous databases of Colorado water information.
Our mission is to:
The Division of Water Resources will administer the waters of the State to maximize lawful beneficial use, ensure that dams and water wells are properly constructed and safe, and provide information about water resources to the public.
Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC)
formerly Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC)
The mission of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) is to regulate the development and production of the natural resources of oil and gas in the state of Colorado in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources. Our agency seeks to serve, solicit participation from, and maintain working relationships with all those having an interest in Colorado's oil and gas natural resources.
Responsible development results in:
The efficient exploration and production of oil and gas resources in a manner consistent with the protection of public health, safety and welfare
The prevention of waste
The protection of mineral owners' correlative rights
The prevention and mitigation of adverse environmental impacts
The COGCC seeks to serve, solicit participation from, and maintain working relationships with all those having an interest in Colorado's oil and gas natural resources.
Executive Director's Office (EDO)
The Executive Director's Office oversees the Department of Natural Resources 6 divisions and a special program. The divisions are the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS), Division of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Land Board (SLB). The Executive Director's Office also provides administrative services which consist of Accounting, Procurement, Payroll, Human Resources, and Budget.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is a special program within the Executive Director’s Office. The program is a partnership between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Transportation (CDOT), and the Friends of the CAIC (FoCAIC) a 501c3 group. The mission of the CAIC is to provide avalanche information, education and promote research for the protection of life, property and the enhancement of the state’s economy.
State Land Board (SLB)
The State Land Board manages an endowment of assets held in perpetual, intergenerational, public trusts for the financial support of Colorado’s public schools and other public institutions. The State Land Board has a dual mission: to generate reasonable and consistent income; and to protect and enhance the value of the trust lands for future generations.
The State Land Board is the second-largest landowner in Colorado, with 2.8 million surface acres and 4.0 million mineral estate acres. A dual mission guides State Land Board management of these assets: to produce reasonable and consistent income over time, and to provide sound stewardship of the state trust assets. The lands are held in eight public land trusts, which benefit public schools and public institutions. State Land Board revenue entirely funds its operations, and the agency does not rely on tax dollars. The State Land Board's Strategic Plan is used as a framework to guide the Board and Staff in achieving agency objectives and goals.