About the Partners in the Outdoors Conference

Hosted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 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 professionals and 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.

This year's conference will be held April 27-29, 2026 at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, CO. Registration will open in January 2026.

2026 Conference Theme

Shared Landscapes, Shared Futures
This year’s conference is a call to action and a collective recognition that we face complex challenges together, not in isolation.

Colorado is home to extraordinarily diverse ecological and social landscapes. The future of our state’s communities, natural and cultural resources, and ways of life depend on the health of those landscapes and our collective relationship with them and to each other. By strengthening existing partnerships, forging new ones, building on past successes and engaging with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy, we can amplify our impact to create a legacy of healthy, vibrant landscapes for generations to come.

Let’s commit to a future where conservation, climate resilience and sustainable outdoor recreation are not just aspirations, but tangible realities achieved through collective dedication and a shared vision.

Apply to Present a Session or Host a Field Trip

Thank you for your interest in facilitating a session and/or hosting a field trip at the 2026 Partners in the Outdoors Conference! Before submitting your proposal, please review our conference goals, values, and commitments on our website to ensure that your content aligns with the overarching conference vision.

We are accepting proposals for onsite conference sessions and for offsite field trips through this application form. 

Applications will close on Sunday, October 26 at 11:59pm. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Important Information About Sessions

Session Lengths and Formats

• Standard Breakout Sessions are 1 hour and 15 minutes long. These may include presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive discussions and activities. We also encourage other unique session styles and formats. Conference organizers are considering additional session lengths depending on interest.
  
• Lightning Talks are short 10 minute presentations designed to deliver a few key points or ideas quickly. The goal is to get straight to the point, break down knowledge silos between organizations, and excite the audience about a topic, encouraging them to seek more information. 
• Poster Sessions are a visual and interactive way to share your research, projects, or programs. This is a casual format that fosters networking and allows for one-on-one discussions with interested colleagues. Presenters will remain by your poster board and hold discussions with attendees who are circulating around the poster board area. Poster sessions will last 1 hour during our conference social hours.

Session Tracks

Sessions should connect with our conference theme of "Shared Landscapes, Shared Futures." Session Tracks this year will align with the three 'North Star' goals of Colorado's Outdoors Strategy:

• Climate-resilient conservation and restoration: Conservation and restoration of lands and waters help wildlife and biodiversity thrive; habitats are resilient and connected; communities benefit from healthy ecosystems and agricultural lands
• Exceptional and sustainable outdoor recreation: A diversity of high-quality outdoor experiences are accessible, equitable, and inclusive; management and stewardship enhance benefits for and minimize impacts to people, landscapes, and communities
• Coordinated planning and funding: Planning and implementation are interdisciplinary; supported by robust funding and capacity; inclusive of diverse perspectives and communities; and drive meaningful action for the outdoors

While these are listed as separate tracks, these topics are highly interconnected and we encourage sessions that highlight the interconnection. For more information, see pages 6-7 of the Colorado's Outdoors Strategy Executive Summary.

Session Dates

• Sessions will be scheduled at the following times:
  • Monday, April 27 - Afternoon
  • Tuesday, April 28 - All day
  • Wednesday, April 29 - Morning

Session Logistics

• Most sessions will be indoors, but we are also accepting proposals for onsite sessions that would take place outside (weather depending).
• Sessions may have up to six speakers. The Session Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that all speakers are registered to attend.
• Meeting rooms will be equipped with a projector, screen, microphone, flip charts, and limited office supplies.
• Easels will be provided for poster sessions, but presenters will need to print their own posters.

Session Expectations

• Each session must have designated Session Coordinator who is the main point of contact for conference organizers. Session Coordinators are expected to relay information to their presenters, complete tasks assigned by conference organizers, and maintain good communication with conference organizers. 
• All session facilitators are expected to uphold our conference values and commitments.
• Session Coordinators will be required to attend a 1-hour onboarding and training call (dates TBD).
• Session presenters are not automatically registered for the conference. All presenters, speakers, moderators, and panelists need to register and pay for the conference. Contact dnr_cpwpartners@state.co.us for special requests by February 27.

Session Application

If you would like to view the session proposal application prior to creating an account, you may view the form here. However, all proposals must be submitted online through the official SurveyMonkey Apply platform.

Session Evaluation and Selection

All proposals will be reviewed by the Conference Planning Committee and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Partners Program Staff. Selections will be made based on relevance to the conference theme & session tracks, alignment with overall conference goals, opportunities for audience engagement, and integration of interconnected topics. We seek proposals that offer actionable insights, inspire collaboration, and reflect forward-thinking approaches. We will also take into consideration the overall diversity of session topics and content.

Due to the limited number of program times available, not all proposals are guaranteed a place in the schedule. All applicants will be notified of committee decisions by late December.

Important Information About Field Trips

Field Trip Length and Format

• Field trips may be 1-3 hours long.
• Field trip formats can include (but are not limited to) tours, recreational activities, workshops, discussions, trainings, and more. 
• Field trips can be indoors, outdoors, or a mix of both.

Field Trip Dates

• Field trip time slots are still being finalized. It is likely that field trips will take place the afternoons of April 28 and April 29.

Field Trip Logistics

• Attendees must arrange their own transportation to field trip sites. Conference organizers will help facilitate carpools but cannot provide transportation.
• Field trip locations should be no more than 45 minutes from the conference venue (Cheyenne Mountain Resort).
• Conference organizers will advertise your field trip and manage registration, but are not responsible for transportation and implementation.

Field Trip Expectations

• Each field trip must have designated Field Trip Coordinator who is the main point of contact for conference organizers. Field Trip Coordinators are expected to relay information to their co-facilitators, complete tasks assigned by conference organizers, and maintain good communication with conference organizers. 
• All field trip facilitators are expected to uphold our conference values and commitments.
• Field trip facilitators are not automatically registered for the conference. Any person wanting to attend the full conference needs to register and pay for the event. Contact dnr_cpwpartners@state.co.us for special requests by February 27.

Field Trip Application

If you would like to view the field trip proposal application prior to creating an account, you may view the form here. However, all proposals must be submitted online through the official SurveyMonkey Apply platform.

Field Trip Evaluation and Selection

All proposals will be reviewed by the Conference Planning Committee and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Partners Program Staff. Selections will be made based on relevance to the conference theme and alignment with overall conference goals and values. We will also take into consideration the overall diversity of field trip topics and content.

Due to the limited number of program times available, not all proposals are guaranteed a place in the schedule. All applicants will be notified of committee decisions by late December.

Applications will close on Sunday, October 26 at 11:59pm.

Questions? Email dnr_cpwpartners@state.co.us.