How To Drink Beer And Support Colorado Parks And Wildlife All Year Long

It’s been said that beer and the outdoors make a natural pairing, so it feels fitting that Colorado Parks and Wildlife decided to partner with alcohol makers statewide on a fundraising effort to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The best part? You can tap in all year long. The agency, established in 1897 to help maintain and conserve the Centennial State’s lands, water and wildlife, is filling out the 2022 calendar with toast-worthy events that include specialty beer, wine and cider releases and culminate with a libations festival in September at Chatfield State Park. CPW chose 18 local companies to collaborate with from a pool of 80-plus applicants, and while each collaboration looks slightly different, all the beverage makers boast unique connections to the environment and commitments to preserving Colorado’s natural amenities, said Devon Adams, a CPW program manager and certified cicerone. “We really just want to show how interconnected our small businesses and parks and wildlife are,” Adams said – whether its resources such as the local water that brewers use to make beer, the agriculture and fruits that lend themselves to winemaking, or the ethos of recreational enjoyment. That’s why many of the partner breweries are creating special beers to not only quench drinkers’ thirst, but also educate them about local ecosystems and natural resources.