BirdAnalyst
Species · Colorado · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Colorado

All statesGeneralists

Wild Turkey in Colorado has surged: up 779% on the route-weighted index since 1990.

+779%Since 1990TrendPercent 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 →
55Routes 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 →
35YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Wild Turkey 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 →

Wild Turkey has surged in Colorado: up 779% on the route-weighted index since 1990.

Wild Turkey Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Wild Turkey in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.47 (95% range 0.22–0.72). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+7%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
0.47Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.22–0.7295% 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 →
±31.4%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, Wild Turkey in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.47 (95% range 0.22–0.72). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19722029
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 →
20250.430.180.68
20260.440.190.69
20270.450.200.70
20280.460.210.71
20290.470.220.72

Wild Turkey Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Wild Turkey 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 →
Trinchera1820192009
Ludlow1720162001
Kiowa 21320242021
De Beque1220242002
Buford720221998
Uncompahgre620242011
Douglas Pass520182013
Waverly520192009
Fort Morgan520231998
Baxter Pass520162016
Wet Mtns.520222017
Doyle Bridge519961995
Neegrande520192013
Elbert520242012
Walsenburg420231994
Ninaview420231994
Animas 2320182014
Ragged Mtn.320182000
Deadman Rd.320232023
Flattops320192001
Cokedale320181995
Mesaverde Np220111999
Cheesman Lk220242007
Abarr220161991
Boyero220092003

Wild Turkey Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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