CPW Black-tailed Prairie Dog Shapefile Download

Updated December, 2025 BTPrairieDogOverallRange is an ESRI shapefile encompassing the observed range of a population of Black-tailed Prairie Dog's in Colorado. BTPrairieDogColonyPotentialOccurrence is an ESRI shapefile depicting the probability of black-tailed prairie dog colonies occurring within the Overall Range within Colorado. CPW staff delineated and categorized these areas of potential occurrence based on the results of a 2020 rangewide survey (see CPW Black-tailed Prairie Dog 2020 Monitoring Report.) Colony Potential Occurrence ranked as: H - High Colony Potential Occurrence. Survey indicated a large number of colonies and/or individual colonies of substantially larger size. These areas have a higher likelihood of containing a larger number of colonies and/or large individual colonies. M - Medium Colony Potential Occurrence. Survey indicated a moderate number of colonies of small to intermediate size. These areas have a medium likelihood of containing colonies of small to intermediate size. L - Low Colony Potential Occurrence. Survey indicated a low number of colonies of small to intermediate size. These areas have a lower likelihood of containing colonies of small to intermediate size. This information was derived from Colorado Parks and Wildlife field personnel. Data was captured by digitizing through a SmartBoard Interactive Whiteboard using topographic maps and NAIP imagery at various scales (Cowardin, M., M. Flenner. March 2003. Maximizing Mapping Resources. GeoWorld 16(3):32-35). These data are updated on a four year rotation with one of the four Colorado Parks and Wildlife Regions updated each year. These data are not updated on a statewide level annually.