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. A threatened species is

Species can be designated as threatened or endangered by 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 state or federally, or threatened by state or federally. This list is subject to change.

Fish

Federally Endangered:

  • Humpback Chub (and State Threatened)

  • Greenback Cutthroat Trout (and State Threatened)

  • Colorado Pikeminnow (and State Threatened)

  • Bonytail (and State Endangered)

State Threatened:

  • Arkansas Darter

  • Brassy Minnow

  • Common Shiner

State Special Concern:

  • Colorado River Cutthroat Trout

  • Colorado Roundtail Chub

  • Flathead Chub

  • Iowa Darter

Birds

Federally Endangered:

  • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (and State Endangered)

  • Whooping Crane (and 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 (and State Threatened)

  • Gunnison Sage-Grouse (State Special Concern)

State Threatened and Endangered:

  • Burrowing Owl

  • Least Tern

Amphibians

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

Federally and State Endangered:

  • Black Footed Ferret

  • Grizzly Bear

  • Lynx

  • Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse

  • Gray Wolf

State Endangered:

  • Wolverine

Mammals

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

Reptiles

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

Mollusks

State Special Concern:

  • Rocky Mountain Capshell

Supporting Threatened and Endangered Wildlife