Colorado Parks and Wildlife is inviting the public to help track river otters across the state as part of a new community science effort. The “Otter Y.E.A.R.” project on the iNaturalist app marks 50 years since river otters were reintroduced to Colorado after disappearing in the early 1900s.
CPW says about 120 otters were brought back between the 1970s and early ’90s, and this year’s effort will help biologists understand how well those populations have recovered—and where gaps remain.
Residents and visitors can take part by submitting photos of otters or signs like tracks and scat, along with location details.
Wildlife staff will also be surveying rivers like the Colorado, Gunnison, and Yampa throughout the year.
If you’re out exploring, CPW says your observations could help shape future conservation—and maybe even future otter reintroductions.
