Fifty years ago today, on July 9, 1976, Colorado successfully reintroduced the river otter back into Colorado.
2026 is the 250th anniversary or semiquincentennial, of the United States, and the 150th anniversary, or sesquicentennial, of the state of Colorado; however, Coloradans may not know that 2026 is also the 50th anniversary of the successful reintroduction of river otters in Colorado.
“Happy 50th otter-versary to the Colorado river otter. These slippery, playful creatures play an important role in strengthening the health of our rivers, and we have seen river otter populations successfully spread across the Western Slope ahead of this milestone anniversary of their reintroduction. This year the 250/150/50 celebrations include all of us and Colorado’s river otters. I look forward to celebrating many more milestones with the mighty river otter,” said Gov. Jared Polis.
Between 1976 and 1991, Colorado reintroduced the species, releasing more than 100 otters sourced from healthy populations in other states. Scientists at Colorado Division of Wildlife (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife) selected five locations with high-quality otter habitat as release sites: Cheeseman Reservoir, the Gunnison River, the Piedra River, the stretch of the upper Colorado River that runs through Rocky Mountain National Park and the Dolores River.
Colorado is among 21 states that have or are making efforts to reintroduce and foster river otter populations. Colorado’s river otter populations are doing so well, state efforts are now dedicated to monitoring them. CPW efforts this year will give the state a better understanding of otter populations statewide.
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