Wildlife Host (Dan Noble SWA)

Dan Noble SWA lies in the middle of a flat basin in southwestern Colorado, 17.5 miles south of Norwood and within San Miguel County. The site is situated at 7,700 feet, north of Lone Cone Mountain and with the Uncompahgre National Forest to the east. The primary feature on this 2200-acre property is its 465-acre lake, Miramonte Reservoir, which is stocked annually with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout and supports a large crayfish population. Wildflowers abound in this high elevation sagebrush habitat as does a diverse wildlife resource. The area supports large mule deer and elk populations. Forty-seven species of water birds can be seen and approximately 50 pairs of Canada geese arrive annually in the spring to nest on the lake’s two islands.

While Dan Noble SWA/Miramonte Reservoir is in a remote location in southwestern Colorado, it is a very popular SWA for people from all around to come and visit, camp, and fish. Camp hosts that volunteer here tend to meet a wide variety of people that become friends in the future.

Minor medical services are located in Norwood and major medical services are a two-hour drive away. While Dan Noble SWA is in a remote location, it is one of the best state wildlife areas that CPW has to offer and one of the best trout fisheries in Colorado.

Host responsibilities include the following: Provide grounds maintenance at Dan Noble SWA (i.e., clean outhouses and restock toilet paper; remove trash from trash barrels  and restock empty trash bags, make periodic trips to the local landfill); provide maintenance (e.g., cleaning, painting and basic repairs) to buildings, outhouses, picnic tables, trash cans and signs; maintain a daily log of camping use by visitors; provide information to visiting public and people wanting to fish; clean and maintain outhouse at Woods Lake SWA (about 85 miles to the east) once a week.

Hosts must be able to live in a remote area and enjoy meeting/interacting with various people. Must be able to perform basic maintenance on the campground and facilities on the SWA. Must be able to lift at least 60-70 pounds – pull heavy and sometimes smelly trash bags from trash barrels and place in dump trailer.