Call to Artists:

CCCC seeks artists to lend their creativity by decorating yard art cranes and gourds for the Yampa Valley Crane Festival’s Crane Art Display and Online Auction. Interested artists should submit their applications by May 4, 2026.

• Applications will be reviewed, and CCCC will select artists to decorate 12 yard art cranes and 12 gourds to be sold in the online auction during the festival.
• Selected artists will be notified by May 22, 2026.
• The crane models and gourds will be distributed to participating artists for decoration, and must be returned to CCCC by July 15.

The finished cranes and gourds, with appropriate artist credit, will be showcased at Bud Werner Memorial Library during the 15th annual Yampa Valley Crane Festival taking place Sept. 3 – 6, 2026. All proceeds from the Crane Art Auction will support the festival. For complete details and application, click the button below. 

Showcase Your Creative Skills for Cranes!

CCCC is accepting entries for two contests – follow the links below for complete contest rules or visit www.coloradocranes.org for more information and submit entries by August 7, 2026.

The Crane Coloring Contest is open to kids ages 3-18 years old. The coloring page can be downloaded from the contest page and is available at libraries throughout the Yampa Valley.

CCCC’s Crane Photo Contest is open to all amateur and professional photographers. Participants can choose from four different categories. Visit the contest page for official rules and instructions.

Grouse and Crane Tours:

There are a few tickets left for the tour on May 2 to see the beautiful dancing birds of Northwest Colorado! A collaboration between CCCC, Yampatika, and Colorado Grouse Tours, this program is a unique opportunity to view these birds in an incredible landscape. The tour features a Sharp-tailed Grouse blink/lek and Howe Ranch tour. Visit Yampatika’s website to learn more and get your tickets!