5 days Ago By Ian Harper
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is in a celebratory mode, having just announced that Assistant Native Aquatic Species Coordinator Jenn Logan has snagged the 2025 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program’s Researcher of the Year Award. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife , with over two decades of work under her belt, Logan has become a cornerstone of the native aquatic species recovery efforts in the Upper Colorado River Basin and beyond. Matt Nicholl, Assistant Director, Aquatic Wildlife Branch at CPW, couldn't hide his admiration, saying, "I can’t think of a more deserving person to receive this award," and highlighted Logan's impact on Colorado's delicate aquatic ecosystem, as per Colorado Parks and Wildlife .
Her efforts have rippled across state lines, boosting conservation and recovery of endangered species for generations to come, quite the catch if you ask those involved. Beginning her career in 2001, Logan's hands-on approach at the Mumma Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility (NASRF) was critical in developing techniques to culture various non-salmonid fish as well as boreal toads, which had never been bred in conservation programs before. These efforts directly contributed to the survival of several endangered fish species like the Colorado pikeminnow and the razorback sucker, among others.
Her journey didn't stop there, in 2006, as the state's first Native Aquatic Species Biologist, based in the Northwest Region. Logan oversaw native aquatic species conservation in critical habitats. Her work has been particularly impactful in non-native fish removal projects in the Yampa and Colorado rivers.
When smallmouth bass unwelcomedly made their home in the White River, Logan was instrumental in establishing a removal program, securing essential access from landowners, and coordinating efforts among multiple agencies. Now leading the Native Aquatic Species Team, Logan manages eight biologists and state-wide coordinators. Despite her managerial duties, she has not strayed far from the field, having joined aquatic biologists during an annual survey in October of 2024 that resulted in the netting of three Colorado pikeminnows in a matter of minutes, a triumph for Logan and her team, highlighting the tangible impact of ongoing restoration efforts.
Harry Crockett, a retired CPW native aquatic species coordinator, didn't mince words in his nomination for Logan, stating, "Jenn brings to the Recovery Programs an ever-pragmatic perspective grounded in an uncommon breadth of experience," as obtained by Colorado Parks and Wildlife . This respect is echoed by many at CPW and partner agencies, acknowledging that Logan's contributions have been numerous and pivotal to the Recovery Program's success..
