Colorado’s largest birding hotspot open to guests for next five weeks

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - Chico Basin Ranch welcomes birders to spot over 330 bird species across its 87,000 acres during Spring migration until June 6.

According to the Aiken Audubon conservationist group, Chico Basin Ranch is the largest birding hotspot in Colorado. Birders can access the Banding Station, Headquarters Pond and Rose Pond. You can find a map here.

Aiken Audubon president Jessica Miller was hooked 13 years ago after a woodpecker landed in her window.

“I got a camera, got a picture, ID’d it, and from then on out, I caught the bug. I was trying to identify everything," Miller said, before interrupting herself. “Oooh! I just heard a Northern Parula! That’s another good bird! It goes BRRUUUU-RUP-BUP!"

Miller said the trees and water at Chico Basin Ranch act like an oasis for the migrating birds.

“You go five minutes in either direction, and you’re just in the middle of cholla cactuses," Miller said. "This is like the pit stop. This is the Crackle Barrel. The Buckeys.

Birding starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. each day. Pre-registration is required and opens seven days in advance of each day. It's $15 a person, or $10 a person for group rates. Aiken Audubon said all admission fees benefit the maintenance of Chico Basin's birding operations.

After June 6, birding at Chico Basin Ranch will open again for five weeks for fall migration from Aug. 22 to Oct. 2. You can register for a spot during the spring migration here.

Chico Basin Ranch is owned by the State Land Board and leases the three birding sites out to Aiken Audubon. The ranch is not open to the public, and birders must register through Aiken Audubon to step on the property.

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