Raptor Open House Hosted by Colorado State University’s Rocky Mountain Raptor Program Will Display Variety of Birds, Release American Kestrels

Colorado State University’s Rocky Mountain Raptor Program will release several rehabilitated American kestrels back to the wild as part of an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 27, weather permitting. The event is free and open to the public.

As part of the open house, visitors can tour the center, located behind Colorado State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 300 W. Drake Road, and learn about the center’s work with injured birds of prey.

At 1 p.m. the kestrels, which have been brought back to health with minimal human contact so that they can survive as wild birds, will be released.

The staff, which consists almost entirely of volunteers, will be on hand with a variety of non-releasable (permanently injured) birds, available for adoption through the Adopt-a-Raptor Program.

Visitors can learn all about the behavior and characteristics of these birds, and view a variety of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. The staff also will discuss sharing the environment with birds of prey and the rehabilitation, education and construction programs of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center.

Raptor gift items, such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, zoo books for kids, hand-crafted jewelry and specially designed note cards, will be available at the center’s gift shop. Programs are designed for families, and refreshments will be served.

The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program began in 1979 as an effort by Colorado State veterinary students to treat injured birds of prey. Today, the RMRP is an organization that links community and university efforts dedicated to providing medical care and rehabilitation to injured birds of prey. For more information about the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program and the open house, call (970) 491-0398.