Yampa Valley Crane Festival Poster Contest

The Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition, Inc. (CCCC) invites all youth, ages 10-15, to submit an entry to the Yampa Valley Crane Festival Poster Contest.

The goal of this contest is to encourage young people to learn about Greater Sandhill Cranes, the Yampa Valley Crane Festival, and to engage in the arts. The contest runs from April – July each year. The winner is awarded a $100 cash prize and the winning poster gets displayed throughout the Yampa Valley, on the CCCC website and on social media.

  • Poster entries must be received by Monday, July 14, 2025. 
  • The poster must accurately reflect the physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat of the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes. 
  • View full contest rules and information by clicking the button below:
Poster by Valarie Dilldine
Poster by Shaine Andrews
Poster by Kaidynce Sturm

Poster Use and Rights

CCCC will have the right to use all submissions, with appropriate artist credit, for publicity purposes or promotional materials as part of the festival. The winning poster, with credit, may be featured in national promotion of the Yampa Valley Crane Festival. CCCC will have the option to sell digital copies of the winning poster as part of their fundraising efforts for the Yampa Valley Crane Festival.

About CCCC and Yampa Valley Crane Festival

Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition, Inc. (CCCC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that conserves and protects the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes and their habitat using science and education to connect people with this iconic species. CCCC seeks to raise awareness of cranes and the threats they face today through the annual Yampa Valley Crane Festival, the Crane Nest Cam and videos, Crane Photo Contest, third-grade and community crane educational presentations, the First Crane Sighting Contest, the Crane Coloring Contest and the CCCC Crane-inspired Creative Arts Scholarship Contest for high school seniors. CCCC also sponsors an on-the-ground habitat improvement program called Crops for Cranes where CCCC works with ranchers/farmers and environmental organizations to leave grain crops for Sandhill Cranes during the fall just prior to migration.

The Yampa Valley Crane Festival takes place over Labor Day weekend in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and Craig, Colorado and features guided crane-viewings, bird and nature walks, expert speakers, films, crane and bird art, children and family activities, and more! The festival occurs during fall staging­ when cranes gather in large numbers in the fall to feed and gain energy for their migration south.