Rocky Mountain National Park

Background | Criteria | Northwest Colorado | Northeast Colorado
Southwest Colorado | Southeast Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park
Boulder, Grand, and Larimer Counties

Size: 265,354 acres

Elevation: 7800 - 14225 feet

Habitats: Alpine tundra, aspen, cliff/rock, mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, open water, spruce/fir, high elevation riparian, mountain shrubland

Ownership: Federal (U.S. National Park Service)

Land Use: Primary – nature and wildlife conservation, recreation/tourism, water supply, undeveloped

Secondary – fishing, research

IBA Criteria: 1, 2, 3, 4 (raptors, landbirds), 5

ABC Status: Globally significant

Site description

Location: Rocky Mountain National Park is located in north-central Colorado, bordered by the towns of Allenspark, Glen Haven, Estes Park, Meeker Park, and Grand Lake.

Vegetative/natural features: The site represents an ecologically typical portion of the Southern Rocky Mountains. The Continental Divide passes through roughly the middle of the park, and divides it into two different watersheds. The headwaters of four major river basins (Big Thompson, North Fork of the Colorado, North Fork of the St. Vrain, and Cache la Poudre) originate there. The park’s aquatic ecosystem consists of 147 lakes and 473 miles of stream. Nine distinct flora, ranging from ponderosa pine and grass/shrub meadows to alpine tundra, are contained in the park. Roughly 60% is forest, 13% alpine tundra, 18% exposed rock, and 9% a mixture of other habitat types. The site encompasses three major life zones (montane, subalpine, and alpine).

Historic features: Researchers have identified 397 prehistoric and historic archaeological sites within the park.

Ornithological Importance

Observers have recorded 260 species of birds at the site, including several threatened species, species of special concern, and species of high conservation priority.

Breeding species:	Average #	Maximum #
White-tailed Ptarmigan	780	1600
American Pipit	>1,000	>2,000
Brown-capped Rosy Finch	1,000	2,000
Prairie Falcon	4	8
Peregrine Falcon	4	12
Northern Goshawk	10	20
Sandhill Crane	2	2
Bald Eagle	2	2
Northern Pygmy-Owl	20	40
Flammulated Owl	10	20
Long-eared Owl	10	20
Boreal Owl	30	60
Black Swift	6 breeding sites
Lewis’s Woodpecker	unknown	unknown
Red-naped Sapsucker	200	400
Three-toed Woodpecker	10	20
Williamson’s Sapsucker	100	200
American Dipper	200	400
Cordilleran Flycatcher	1,000	2,000
Olive-sided Flycatcher	20	40
Virginia’s Warbler	1,000	2,000
Western Tanager	1,000	2,000
Green-tailed Towhee	2,000	4,000
MacGillivray’s Warbler	500	1,000

Spring Migrant species:	Average #	Maximum #
Red-headed Woodpecker	2	4
White-faced Ibis	20	40

Wintering species:	Average #	Maximum #
White-tailed Ptarmigan	780	1,600
Bald Eagle	6-12

Research and educational activities:
Researchers have conducted bird monitoring in nine major habitat types throughout the site since 1993, while White-tailed Ptarmigan research has been going on for over 30 years. Annual visitation to the park exceeds 3 million.

Conservation/Management Issues

Serious threats:
1. invasive/non-native plants (montane zone);
2. pollution (nitrogen deposition and ozone);
3. habitat conversion and development on adjacent lands;
4. disturbance to Green-tailed Towhee and Virginia’s Warbler habitat from prescribed fire;
5. recreational impact of over 3 million annual visitors;
6. fire suppression;
7. hydrologic changes from dams and water diversions.

Minor threats:
1. invasive/non-native plants (sub-alpine zone);
2. introduced starlings are displacing cavity nesting birds;
3. cowbird parasitism in montane zone.

Potential threats:
1. invasive/non-native plants (alpine zone);
2. introduced fox squirrel affecting native Abert’s squirrel.

Efforts to address threats:
Several areas once disturbed by dam building are being restored to natural conditions; four dams have been removed so far. Land managers are examining the prescribed fire regime in light of its impact on bird habitat.

Management details:
Approximately 95% of the site is recommended or designated wilderness. The site is also an International Biosphere Reserve and a Colorado Watchable Wildlife site.