Restricted visitation began in 2024 and is a result of new terms imposed by the State Land Board of Colorado. Thank you for successful 2024 spring and fall birding seasons on the ranch! With your patience and understanding, we made the best of the situation and are looking forward to a great 2025.
Chico Basin Ranch is an 80,000 acre property located along El Paso and Pueblo County lines near Hanover, CO. It is owned by the Colorado State Land Board (SLB) and leased primarily to ranchers. Aiken Audubon has also been granted access by the SLB. The vast prairies dotted with a few ponds with rich cottonwood and willow bosques make this a magical place for birding where MANY bird species are possible, especially in spring and fall migration. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies operates a bird banding station 5 weeks each spring and fall, during which birders are invited to enjoy the birding opportunities on the ranch.
Please note the following access rules at Chico Basin Ranch:
- Visitation in spring 2025 will be allowed ONLY April 29 through June 2. The ranch will be open to birders again in the fall in September. Exact days will be announced later in the summer.
- Birders are required to register and pay in advance (click below).
- Registration for each day opens seven days in advance. For example, registration for April 29 opens on April 22 @ 7:00 am.
- Visitation is capped at 20 birders/day, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and access is limited to the banding station, Headquarters Pond (HQ pond area, not including area behind gate) and Rose Pond.
- The fee is $15/person. All proceeds go towards maintaining access to Chico Basin Ranch for birding.
- Formal groups interested in making a reservation should reach out to chicoregistration@aikenaudubon.com.
- All sales are final unless birding is closed at Chico due to muddy road conditions (see below).
- In the event roads are impassable due to muddy conditions, we will notify registrants as early as possible that birding is closed for the day and refunds will be issued.
- Consider signing up for Aiken’s emails (monthly) to receive regular updates.
Registration for each day opens @ 7:00 am seven days in advance.
First day to register for fall birding is is August 26, 2024.
chicoregistration@aikenaudubon.com