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Colorado IBAs
Colorado National Monument
http://www.nps.gov/colm
Mesa County
Size: 20,454 acres
Elevation: 4500 - 7500 feet
Habitats:
Primary – pinyon/juniper
Secondary – cliff/rock, sagebrush shrubland, lowland riparian
Ownership: Federal (U.S. National Park Service)
Land Use:
Primary – nature and wildlife conservation, recreation/tourism, undeveloped
Secondary – research
IBA Criteria: 2, 3
Site description
Location:
Colorado National Monument is located at the far north edge of the Uncompahgre Plateau, west of the city of Grand Junction.
Vegetative/natural features:
The site’s landscape is dominated by alternating steep-walled canyons and cliffs, and gently sloping mesa tops. Vegetation consists primarily of woodlands of pinyon pine and Utah juniper. Other common plant species include big sagebrush, mountain mahogany, Utah serviceberry, single-leaf ash, yucca, Mormon tea, Gambel oak, and rabbitbrush.
Historic features:
Colorado National Monument was designated on May 24, 1911.
Ornithological Importance
This site provides a protected environment of intact pinyon-juniper habitat, and offers a setting that is conducive to bird research.
Breeding species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Gray Vireo
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160 pairs
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Gray Flycatcher
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70-100 pairs
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Juniper Titmouse
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200-225 pairs
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Virginia’s Warbler
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50-75 pairs
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Black-throated Gray Warbler
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140-200 pairs
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Peregrine Falcon
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3 pairs
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Conservation/Management Issues
Serious threats:
- unknown breeding ecology of pinyon-juniper breeding bird species (which makes implementation of management policies difficult).
Minor threats:
Efforts to address threats:
Colorado Bird Observatory and the National Park Service are currently investigating the breeding ecology and requirements of pinyon-juniper birds at this site.
Management details:
Colorado National Monument is a Colorado Watchable Wildlife site.
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