COSA Ranger Training Program
The COSA Ranger Training Program was established in 2004 when the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas rangers teamed with the Larimer County Department of Natural Resource rangers to implement a routine refresher training protocol for open space rangers. In March 2005, both agencies conducted a joint training in an effort to build a working partnership, lower training costs, and complete required annual training.
The training program:
- provides rangers with refresher training in wildland fire suppression, wilderness first aid, self-defense, law enforcement, visitor contacts, and education pertaining to the role of a ranger in today's society.
- believes in the importance of human services and protection of natural and cultural resources that open spaces, natural areas, parks and recreation areas provide.
- provides a network to facilitate the exchange of information between park law enforcement personnel and other park and recreation professionals.
- desires to lessen the burden of "the last minute scramble" to find and provide the necessary training required anually for today's ranger.
Examples of past training:
In 2009, seven different agencies from northern Colorado attended the COSA Ranger Training. This year, as in past years, we developed an outstanding curriculum, supplemented by superb instructors. The week started with a full day of Wildland Fire Training. Day two consisted of Emergency Helicopter Evacuation Training complete with a helicopter and crew, CPR recertification, and Raptor Identification and Behavior where real raptors were present. Days three and four were comprised of a medical NOLS/Wilderness Medicine Institute course developed specifically for COSA rangers. The fifth day started with the basics of self defense, and then covered the Basics of Tracking for Search and Rescue and Law Enforcement. The week then culminated in a social networking lunch.
2010 COSA Ranger Training Program
The 2010 COSA Ranger Training will be held Monday through Friday, April 5th through April 9th. This is sure to be an exciting week of extremely valuable trainings, so put it on your schedules now! See you in April!
Contact Us:
Have any questions or need more information regarding The COSA Ranger Taining Program? You may feel free to contact us.
Brian Flynn – (970) 429-2035 City of Aspen Open Space
Park Manager Travis Rollins - (970) 498-5622 Larimer County Department of Natural Resources