BirdAnalyst
Species · Colorado · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

American Coot Population Trend in Colorado

All statesWetland birds

American Coot in Colorado has declined: down 38% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-38%Since 1970TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
53Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
57YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable American Coot Trends in ColoradoNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for American Coot in Colorado. See the full index history below.

American Coot Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, American Coot in Colorado is projected to rise about 127% by 2030 — from 0.41 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.92 (95% range 0.00–1.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±82.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+127%Change by 2030TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.92Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–1.995% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±82.2%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, American Coot in Colorado is projected to rise about 127% by 2030 — from 0.41 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.92 (95% range 0.00–1.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±82.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20260.910.001.9
20270.910.001.9
20280.920.001.9
20290.920.001.9
20300.920.001.9

American Coot Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording American Coot in Colorado.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Guffey5120222015
Pagosa Spgs3419821969
Rio Grnds Rs1620241991
Wildhorse L1320151998
Piceance Basin1220061998
Great Divide1120152015
Dinosaur920251995
Mcphee Res.920251997
Piedra920251992
Groundhog Rs619931993
Angora620092005
Yellowjacket Pass620251998
Ludlow620142014
Walden520211992
Alamosa520251988
Cortez520081988
Cortez 2420172009
Tarryall420092007
Cochetopa Pass420251999
Moffat319951993
Dolores319871968
Karval320152015
Haswell319961994
Arsenal 2220252025
Kiowa220091970

American Coot Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutfloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontwashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.