Endangered & Threatened Species

Extinctions can occur naturally, but the current rate of extinction is alarmingly higher than the natural or background rate of the past. Many factors can influence this higher rate of loss; one major factor is habitat loss. Other factors can include invasive and non-native organisms, environmental pollution, and the spread of diseases. An endangered species is a species that is at risk of extinction, a process through which organisms or a group of organisms cease to exist, or extirpation, the removal of a species in an area.

Click the link below to learn more about how Mesa Conservation District is working to protect threatened and endangered species!

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Species can be designated as threatened or endangered by the state and federally.

In the United States, as of 2025, over 1,600 species are listed as threatened or endangered.

Below, we have included the species that are found in Colorado that are designated as state special concern, endangered by the state or federally, or threatened by the state or federally. This list is subject to change.

Fish

a simple black icon of a fish

Federally Endangered:

  • Humpback Chub (& State Threatened)

  • Greenback Cutthroat Trout (& State Threatened)

  • Colorado Pikeminnow (& State Threatened)

  • Bonytail (& State Endangered)

State Threatened:

  • Arkansas Darter

  • Brassy Minnow

  • Common Shiner

State Special Concern:

  • Colorado River Cutthroat Trout

  • Colorado Roundtail Chub

  • Flathead Chub

  • Iowa Darter

two hands holding a greenback cutthroat trout
a simple black icon of a bird

Birds

Federally Endangered:

  • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (& State Endangered)

  • Whooping Crane (& State Endangered)

State Special Concern:

  • American Peregrine Falcon

  • Bald Eagle

  • Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse

  • Ferruginous Hawk

  • Greater Sage Grouse

  • Greater Sandhill Crane

  • Long-Billed Curlew

  • Mountain Plover

  • Western Snowy Plover

Federally Threatened:

  • Mexican Spotted Owl

  • Lesser Prairie-Chicken (& State Threatened)

  • Gunnison Sage-Grouse (& State Special Concern)

State Threatened and Endangered:

  • Burrowing Owl

  • Least Tern

Five burrowing owls sitting among soil and vegetation

Image: Burrowing Owls

Amphibians

a simple black icon of a frog

State Endangered:

  • Boreal Toad

State Special Concern:

  • Couch's Spadefoot

  • Northern Cricket Frog

  • Northern Leopard Frog

  • Plains Leopard Frog

  • Wood Frog

  • Great Plains Narrowmouth Toad

A toad held in a hand wearing black gloves

Image: Boreal Toad

a simple black icon of a bat

Mammals

Federally and State Endangered:

  • Black Footed Ferret

  • Grizzly Bear

  • Lynx

  • Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse

  • Gray Wolf

State Threatened:

  • River Otter

State Special Concern:

  • Northern Pocket Gopher

  • Swift Fox

  • Townsend's Big-Eared Bat

  • Black-Tailed Prairie Dog

  • Botta's Pocket Gopher

State Endangered

  • Wolverine

a close up photo of a preble's meadow jumping mouse

Image: Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse

Reptiles

a simple black icon of a snake

State Special Concern:

  • Ornate Box Turtle, Common Garter Snake, Long Nosed Leopard Lizard, Massasauga Rattlesnake, Midget Faded Rattlesnake, Texas Threadsnake, Yellow Mud Turtle, Texas Horned Lizard

A midget faded rattlesnake curled up in between two rocks

Image: Midget Faded Rattlesnake

a simple black icon of a snail

Mollusks

State Special Concern:

  • Rocky Mountain Capshell

A Rocky Mountain capshell

Supporting Threatened and Endangered Wildlife

Preserving native species and combating extinction is vitally important. The two major factors to species detriment that are necessary to combat are habitat loss and invasive species. Conservation planning and habitat restoration efforts can make a great difference in providing a healthy environment for native species. Implement management and strategies to control invasive species and best avoid the spread. Public education can be essential for raising awareness of best practices to support native species. Best practices can include avoiding the spread of disease, planting native vegetation that will benefit native wildlife, recreating responsibly, invasive species removal and native species restoration work, and so much more.

Click Here for More Information on Wildlife Habitats

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