Photo: Kathy Simpson
conserving rocky mountain greater sandhill cranes + their habitat through science + education
The Greater Sandhill Crane is an iconic species of the Yampa Valley in Northwest Colorado. Returning in the spring from wintering grounds in New Mexico and Arizona, cranes nest and raise their young in wetland areas throughout the valley.
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March 1-8 is Greater Sandhill Crane Week!
Both Routt and Moffat Counties have officially declared March 1-8 as Greater Sandhill Crane Week to welcome the cranes back to their nesting grounds and to encourage awareness and conservation of cranes and their habitat.
Join CCCC in celebrating the return of cranes to the Yampa Valley by participating in a variety of programs:
- First Crane Sighting Contest – Cranes are on the move from their winter homes and headed to the Yampa Valley. Be on the lookout
for the first cranes of the year and send in your sightings during March. - Visit the Crane-inspired Creative Arts Scholarship Contest gallery at the Depot Art Center during the month of March to view student artwork on display!
- Join us on March 6, 2026 for a First Friday Art Walk event to highlight contest participants and their artwork.
- Check out the 2026 Crane Coloring Contest page for kids.
- Photo Contest – Capture that perfect photo opportunity to enter in the 2026 Photo Contest as the cranes arrive!
Save The Date: Crane Migration Celebration March 13th, 2026
Join us for a lively evening of events to celebrate the cranes’ return to Northwest Colorado and to help raise funds during CCCC’s only fundraising event of the year.
- Friday, March 13, 2026 from 5:30 – 8 pm at the Depot Art Center in Steamboat Springs, CO
- Tickets go on sale January 23, 2026
- Online Silent Auction opens on March 1st!
- Click here to purchase tickets for the event.
Thank you to our event sponsors for their generous support!
Silver Sponsor
• Steamboat Ski & Resort
Bronze Sponsors
• First Chair Operating Co.
• Born Free Wildlife Rehabilitation
• The Group Real Estate/Group Gives Yampa Valley
• SBNY
• IHS Farms
Thank you to the Yampa Valley Community Foundation for awarding CCCC a generous grant in the 2025-26 Community Grant Cycle. These funds enable CCCC to continue work on behalf of Sandhill Cranes in the Yampa Valley community. The Yampa Valley Community Foundation works to support local nonprofits with resources and collaborations to build vibrant communities. We are deeply grateful for their work and continued support.
