About the Colorado Natural Areas Program

Our Mission: To preserve some of the finest examples of Colorado’s original and unique landscapes for the benefit of present and future generations.
 
CNAP provides these benefits with a committed staff, an active Council, and numbers of partners and volunteers.
 
The Natural Areas Act
The Colorado Natural Areas Act of 1977 provides necessary guidelines to ensure Colorado's natural heritage through the identification, registration, designation and protection of qualified natural areas of statewide significance.
 
Why Natural Areas?
A Natural Areas designation allows agencies, land owners and citizens to work together to assure the preservation of Colorado’s natural heritage, one species or one area at a time.  Mutual agreements and ecological interest bind interested parties in pursuit of CNAP’s mission.