Thank you for your interest in facilitating a session at the 2025 Partners in the Outdoors Conference! Please read the following information carefully to determine whether your session proposal aligns with our goals and theme.
Applications will be open through November 25.
If you'd like to view the application questions before creating an account, you can view a copy of the session proposal form here.
An Overview of the Partners in the Outdoors Conference
Purpose
The Partners in the Outdoors Conference serves as a vital platform to address the intricate balance between conservation and outdoor recreation in Colorado. By connecting outdoor industry professionals & representatives across diverse sectors, the conference is Colorado’s foremost opportunity to advance toward a shared vision of responsible and sustainable practices within Colorado's outdoor spaces.
Unlike other events that may focus on singular topics like wildlife, education, gear, or recreation, our conference integrates all facets. We bring together diverse interest groups to ensure a comprehensive dialogue and holistic approach to outdoor management. We bridge gaps between traditionally separated sectors, creating a singular platform for comprehensive discourse and collaboration. The conference is also an opportunity to celebrate the successes of our network and amplify their work.
Goals
Networking and Partnerships: Provide a platform for organizations across the outdoor and natural resources industries to network, collaborate, and build authentic relationships. Explore best practices, facilitate education and learning, and strengthen partnerships to enhance efforts in conservation and recreation.
Connection and Collaboration: Encourage understanding and collaboration among diverse groups and interests, aiming for a holistic approach that respects different perspectives while working towards shared goals.
Problem Solving and Balanced Solutions: Leverage our collective expertise to develop collaborative solutions that balance the needs to increase outdoor access for all, preserve the integrity of natural spaces, and ensure sustainable use of resources.
Cohesive Strategy Development: Lay the groundwork for a cohesive strategy that incorporates various interests and fosters sustainable practices within Colorado's outdoor landscape. Ensure a comprehensive dialogue that allows us to effectively navigate the complexities of conservation, wildlife management, recreation, and outdoor equity.
Create a Better Colorado: Support the overarching goal of responsible and collective stewardship of Colorado's outdoor spaces. Strive to enhance the outdoor experience for all while ensuring the conservation of Colorado's natural spaces for future generations.
Audience
Our conference is a hub where individuals from various sectors convene, ensuring a robust and inclusive representation of the state's diverse outdoor community. We welcome participation from Tribal and Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses, schools and academia, private industries, and passionate outdoor enthusiasts, fostering a diverse tapestry of expertise and perspectives.
Our annual conference has quickly become one of the signature events in Colorado bringing together all who are engaged in the future of Colorado's conservation and outdoor recreational opportunities. This includes, but is not limited to, organizations and stakeholders whose work relates to:
- Outdoor recreation
- Conservation
- Land management
- Wildlife
- Outdoor equity and access
- Hunting and angling
- Guides and outfitters
- Ranching and agriculture
- Outdoor gear/business/industry
- Environmental education
- Biodiversity and habitat improvement
- Stewardship
- And more!
Our Values
Collaboration: We believe the future of Colorado's outdoors depends on a cooperative spirit, respect, and mutual trust between individuals and organizations.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to conservation. We welcome and create space for people of all backgrounds and seek to nurture a culture of respect, honesty, belonging, understanding and engagement.
Communication: We strive to communicate openly and honestly to build trust and respect that will lead to meaningful relationships.
Hard Conversations: We value opportunities for honest, challenging, and thought-provoking discussions.
Transparency: We value transparency and integrity in all decision making processes.
We are Better Together: No one knows everything, together we know a lot. We value all contributions to our collective work and support each other to reach our goals.
Participant Commitments
All conference participants must be respectful of individuals’ diversity in demographics, identities, backgrounds, geographic regions, perspectives, experiences, and knowledge. Participants are expected to contribute to an inclusive environment where all voices are valued and heard and, ultimately, to contribute to the success of the Partners in the Outdoors Conference.
As a conference participant and session presenter, I commit to…
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
- Respect and make space for the diversity of perspectives and voices.
- Know my intent and own my impact.
- Take responsibility for my own learning.
- Embrace discomfort as I lean into new learning opportunities.
- Be kind to myself and to others.
- Respect the spaces where we are gathering.
- Be aware of air time (make room for others and share speaking time).
- Honor individual experiences as real.
- Be open minded, curious, creative, and solution-oriented.
- Be engaged and have fun!
2025 Conference Theme
Resilience: Building Strength and Sustainability for the Future of the Outdoors
Re·sil·ience: The capacity to withstand, recover, and come back stronger from difficulties.
At this year’s conference, we will explore how resiliency applies to every facet of our work and highlight how we can plan for, adapt, recover, and thrive amidst challenges. This will include topics like:
Conservation Strategies for Resilient Landscapes: Approaches for maintaining and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems, wildlife, and natural areas.
Outdoor Recreation and Adaptability: How outdoor activities can adapt to support resilience in the face of changing social and environmental conditions.
Partnerships: Building resilient networks that thrive, explore common ground, and collaborate in the face of challenges.
Community Well-being: Exploring the benefits of nature for physical and mental health, local economies, and overall community resilience.
Building Resilience Through Stewardship: Supporting conservation efforts through education, outreach, and fostering connections to the natural world that inspire current and future generations to care for Colorado’s outdoors in urban, suburban, and rural spaces.
We will navigate and prepare for change by proactively developing effective strategies, innovative solutions, and adaptive practices to address the evolving challenges in conservation and recreation in our beautiful state of Colorado. We will also embrace setbacks as opportunities to grow, adapt, and inspire deeper connections with Colorado’s natural world and each other. Together, we will forge resilience amidst a dynamic world.
Important Information About Sessions
- Sessions are 1 hour and 15 minutes long.
- Most sessions will be scheduled on Wednesday, April 23 or Thursday, April 24. A small number of sessions will be scheduled on Tuesday, April 22.
- All session facilitators are expected to uphold our conference values and commitments.
- All presenters, speakers, moderators, and panelists need to register and pay for the conference. Contact dnr_cpwpartners@state.co.us for special requests by March 3rd.
- Most sessions will be indoors, but we are also accepting proposals for sessions that would take place outside (weather depending)
- We encourage unique session styles and formats!
Questions? Email dnr_cpwpartners@state.co.us.
2025 Partners in the Outdoors Conference Session Proposals
Thank you for your interest in facilitating a session at the 2025 Partners in the Outdoors Conference! Please read the following information carefully to determine whether your session proposal aligns with our goals and theme.
Applications will be open through November 25.
If you'd like to view the application questions before creating an account, you can view a copy of the session proposal form here.
An Overview of the Partners in the Outdoors Conference
Purpose
The Partners in the Outdoors Conference serves as a vital platform to address the intricate balance between conservation and outdoor recreation in Colorado. By connecting outdoor industry professionals & representatives across diverse sectors, the conference is Colorado’s foremost opportunity to advance toward a shared vision of responsible and sustainable practices within Colorado's outdoor spaces.
Unlike other events that may focus on singular topics like wildlife, education, gear, or recreation, our conference integrates all facets. We bring together diverse interest groups to ensure a comprehensive dialogue and holistic approach to outdoor management. We bridge gaps between traditionally separated sectors, creating a singular platform for comprehensive discourse and collaboration. The conference is also an opportunity to celebrate the successes of our network and amplify their work.
Goals
Networking and Partnerships: Provide a platform for organizations across the outdoor and natural resources industries to network, collaborate, and build authentic relationships. Explore best practices, facilitate education and learning, and strengthen partnerships to enhance efforts in conservation and recreation.
Connection and Collaboration: Encourage understanding and collaboration among diverse groups and interests, aiming for a holistic approach that respects different perspectives while working towards shared goals.
Problem Solving and Balanced Solutions: Leverage our collective expertise to develop collaborative solutions that balance the needs to increase outdoor access for all, preserve the integrity of natural spaces, and ensure sustainable use of resources.
Cohesive Strategy Development: Lay the groundwork for a cohesive strategy that incorporates various interests and fosters sustainable practices within Colorado's outdoor landscape. Ensure a comprehensive dialogue that allows us to effectively navigate the complexities of conservation, wildlife management, recreation, and outdoor equity.
Create a Better Colorado: Support the overarching goal of responsible and collective stewardship of Colorado's outdoor spaces. Strive to enhance the outdoor experience for all while ensuring the conservation of Colorado's natural spaces for future generations.
Audience
Our conference is a hub where individuals from various sectors convene, ensuring a robust and inclusive representation of the state's diverse outdoor community. We welcome participation from Tribal and Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses, schools and academia, private industries, and passionate outdoor enthusiasts, fostering a diverse tapestry of expertise and perspectives.
Our annual conference has quickly become one of the signature events in Colorado bringing together all who are engaged in the future of Colorado's conservation and outdoor recreational opportunities. This includes, but is not limited to, organizations and stakeholders whose work relates to:
- Outdoor recreation
- Conservation
- Land management
- Wildlife
- Outdoor equity and access
- Hunting and angling
- Guides and outfitters
- Ranching and agriculture
- Outdoor gear/business/industry
- Environmental education
- Biodiversity and habitat improvement
- Stewardship
- And more!
Our Values
Collaboration: We believe the future of Colorado's outdoors depends on a cooperative spirit, respect, and mutual trust between individuals and organizations.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to conservation. We welcome and create space for people of all backgrounds and seek to nurture a culture of respect, honesty, belonging, understanding and engagement.
Communication: We strive to communicate openly and honestly to build trust and respect that will lead to meaningful relationships.
Hard Conversations: We value opportunities for honest, challenging, and thought-provoking discussions.
Transparency: We value transparency and integrity in all decision making processes.
We are Better Together: No one knows everything, together we know a lot. We value all contributions to our collective work and support each other to reach our goals.
Participant Commitments
All conference participants must be respectful of individuals’ diversity in demographics, identities, backgrounds, geographic regions, perspectives, experiences, and knowledge. Participants are expected to contribute to an inclusive environment where all voices are valued and heard and, ultimately, to contribute to the success of the Partners in the Outdoors Conference.
As a conference participant and session presenter, I commit to…
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
- Respect and make space for the diversity of perspectives and voices.
- Know my intent and own my impact.
- Take responsibility for my own learning.
- Embrace discomfort as I lean into new learning opportunities.
- Be kind to myself and to others.
- Respect the spaces where we are gathering.
- Be aware of air time (make room for others and share speaking time).
- Honor individual experiences as real.
- Be open minded, curious, creative, and solution-oriented.
- Be engaged and have fun!
2025 Conference Theme
Resilience: Building Strength and Sustainability for the Future of the Outdoors
Re·sil·ience: The capacity to withstand, recover, and come back stronger from difficulties.
At this year’s conference, we will explore how resiliency applies to every facet of our work and highlight how we can plan for, adapt, recover, and thrive amidst challenges. This will include topics like:
Conservation Strategies for Resilient Landscapes: Approaches for maintaining and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems, wildlife, and natural areas.
Outdoor Recreation and Adaptability: How outdoor activities can adapt to support resilience in the face of changing social and environmental conditions.
Partnerships: Building resilient networks that thrive, explore common ground, and collaborate in the face of challenges.
Community Well-being: Exploring the benefits of nature for physical and mental health, local economies, and overall community resilience.
Building Resilience Through Stewardship: Supporting conservation efforts through education, outreach, and fostering connections to the natural world that inspire current and future generations to care for Colorado’s outdoors in urban, suburban, and rural spaces.
We will navigate and prepare for change by proactively developing effective strategies, innovative solutions, and adaptive practices to address the evolving challenges in conservation and recreation in our beautiful state of Colorado. We will also embrace setbacks as opportunities to grow, adapt, and inspire deeper connections with Colorado’s natural world and each other. Together, we will forge resilience amidst a dynamic world.
Important Information About Sessions
- Sessions are 1 hour and 15 minutes long.
- Most sessions will be scheduled on Wednesday, April 23 or Thursday, April 24. A small number of sessions will be scheduled on Tuesday, April 22.
- All session facilitators are expected to uphold our conference values and commitments.
- All presenters, speakers, moderators, and panelists need to register and pay for the conference. Contact dnr_cpwpartners@state.co.us for special requests by March 3rd.
- Most sessions will be indoors, but we are also accepting proposals for sessions that would take place outside (weather depending)
- We encourage unique session styles and formats!
Questions? Email dnr_cpwpartners@state.co.us.