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Species · Colorado · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Clark's Nutcracker Population Trend in Colorado

All statesGeneralists

Clark's Nutcracker in Colorado has surged: up 20× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

20×Since 1971
77Routes In State
53Years

Notable Clark's Nutcracker Trends in Colorado

long arc increasecomputed index

Clark's Nutcracker has surged in Colorado: up 20× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Clark's Nutcracker Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Clark's Nutcracker in Colorado is projected to fall about 22% by 2029 — from 2.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.1 (95% range 1.1–3.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±60.3%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-22%Change by 2029
2.1Projected 2029 index
1.1–3.095% range
±60.3%Backtest error
19682029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20251.90.992.9
20262.01.02.9
20272.01.12.9
20282.01.13.0
20292.11.13.0

Clark's Nutcracker Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Clark's Nutcracker in Colorado.
Piceance Basin3820042003
Moon Pass3720241998
South Fork3120241996
Mount Evans1920241996
Pinos Creek1819901988
Summitville1620241992
Fox Creek1620241993
Flattops1520171994
Nucla1520242000
Haycamp Mesa1520241998
Deadman Rd.1420241992
Dinosaur1420191995
Cochetopa Pass1420241998
Guffey1220241990
Gribbles Prk1220241995
Owl Creek Pass1120241999
Pinon920221992
Guanella Pas820241992
Trail Ridge Road720142003
Willow Peak620181988
Wet Mtns.620241993
Baxter Pass620241994
Como620241994
Marshall Pas620191995
Blackhead Pk519981996

Clark's Nutcracker Population Trend in Other States

arizonacaliforniaidahomontananevadanew-mexicooregonsouth-dakotautahwashingtonwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.