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

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Colorado

All statesWetland birds

Sandhill Crane in Colorado has surged: up 138% on the route-weighted index since 1997.

+138%Since 1997TrendPercent 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 →
22Routes 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 →
30YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Sandhill Crane 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 →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Sandhill Crane has surged in Colorado: up 138% on the route-weighted index since 1997.

Sandhill Crane Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane in Colorado is projected to rise about 113% by 2030 — from 0.12 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.26 (95% range 0.14–0.37). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+113%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 →
0.26Projected 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 →
0.14–0.3795% 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 →
±45.7%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, Sandhill Crane in Colorado is projected to rise about 113% by 2030 — from 0.12 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.26 (95% range 0.14–0.37). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19932030
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 →
20260.240.130.35
20270.240.130.35
20280.250.140.36
20290.250.140.36
20300.260.140.37

Sandhill Crane Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Sandhill Crane 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 →
Steamboat L.420251996
Buford320242001
Maybell220232022
Great Divide220242015
Yampa220231999
Moffat220001993
Castleton220242018
Doyleville220222021
Lay220252003
Ragged Mtn.220162016
Mcphee Res.220252012
Dunckley Pas220231996
Paonia220252025
Wilson Creek120192018
Lost Lake120252003
Powderhorn120182014
Browns Park120242000
Buffalo Park120191997
Angora120072007
Yellowjacket Pass120252003
Nucla120252016
San Luis120002000

Sandhill Crane Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniafloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowamassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotautahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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