Unlock the joy of community science to protect Colorado bats

Against a black background, the head of an Allen's big-eared bat comes into the frame from below.
Allen’s big-eared bat, courtesy of Juan Cruzado
  • Colorado is home to 18 species of bats.
  • Three Colorado bat species (Fringed myotis, Hoary bat, and Townsend’s big-eared bat) are US Forest Service Region 2 Sensitive Species – which means that there is concern about their long-term viability on Forest Service lands.
  • We’re actually not sure how other Colorado bat species are doing and could use your help!

Bats face numerous threats in Colorado, such as habitat loss and climate change. In addition, hibernating bats in Colorado may be impacted by white-nose syndrome (WNS), a pathogen that has killed millions of bats in the eastern and midwestern U.S. since 2006. WNS was just detected in a Colorado bat on April 24 of last year. 

Unfortunately, relatively little is currently known about the population status of most species of bats in Colorado. This prevents land managers and conservation organizations develop strategies and programs to protect bats and their habitats.

Thankfully, we have a community science project where you can help collect data about Colorado bats!

Partner:

Bat Conservation International logo

Here are just some things you can do to learn more about and protect bats:

Join Us:

Join us for an evening bat conservation event in Wheat Ridge!

When: Monday, May 13 or Wednesday, May 15, meet at 7:30 pm, we’ll start moving around at 8:00 pm, and you’ll be on your way home by 9:00 pm
Where: Meet near the parking lot at Crown Hill Park, 9357 W 26th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Other details: This is a paved trail and accessible for folks using mobility aids
Registration: This is a free event, but it is limited. Register to save your spot. Please do not show up if you have not registered. This event books up every year and we do not have space for additional participants.
Translation: Spanish translation will be available.

Join our friend, Aaron Sidder from Bat Conservation International, for a bat event! Aaron will lead a discussion on the ecology of bats, where they live, what they do, and why they’re important. He’ll also bring in some tips for making your home, yard, or park more bat-friendly. While we circumnavigate on the trail, Aaron will show attendees how to identify species bats in real-time with an Echo Meter Touch Bat Detector and how to report a bat roosting site on the Colorado Bat Watch website!

You will need to bring water, anti-mosquito protection of your choice, layers if necessary, and anything else you may personally need.

Aaron is an ecologist for Bat Conservation International and a board member here at Rocky Mountain Wild. He is an experienced field ecologist whose research has taken him to the Everglades, Southwestern deserts, and the top of the Rocky Mountains.

Read about Bats:

For Adults:

For Kids:

Do Something for Bats:

For Adults:

For Kids:

Listen and Watch Fantastic Bat Content:

For the Whole Family:

For Adults:

For Kids:

Join us for the rest of the Colorado Endangered Species Week events!