You'd be forgiven if, like just about everyone on social media, you thought that was already the case. But the bald eagle wasn't formally designated as the national bird until last week, when President Joe Biden signed the act of Congress on Christmas Eve. Before then, the bald eagle was only a national emblem, appearing on the nation's Great Seal since 1782.
The mighty bird of prey's long-awaited recognition comes just in time for bald eagle breeding season, which lasts from December through July in Colorado. That means there will be plenty of opportunities for Coloradans to see the birds in their newfound, bureaucratically approved glory.
More than 1,000 bald eagles migrate to Colorado in the winter, joining over 300 nesting pairs that call the Centennial State home year-round. Just fifty years ago, there were only three known bald eagle nests in Colorado.
Bald eagles are typically found near reservoirs and along major rivers in the summer and winter, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. During the winter and breeding season, the birds spend most of their time in large cottonwood trees to nest or seek warmth.
Luckily for Denver residents, you don't have to go far to see the newly designated national bird. Here are some of the places to spot bald eagles around the metro area:
Barr Lake State Park
Only 26 miles outside of downtown Denver, Barr Lake State Park sees up to a hundred-plus bald eagles each winter. The Adams County area has hosted at least one pair of nesting bald eagles every year since 1986, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. As of 2021, bald eagles at the lake had successfully fledged 59 eaglets.Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Some of the Denver metro area's most prolific bald eagle sighting locations are within the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, just ten miles northeast of downtown Denver. Bald eagles are commonly seen around the refuge's large bodies of water, including Lower Derby Lake and Ladora Lake. Standley Lake Regional Park
Coloradans can visit the state's celebrity eagle couple at Standley Lake in Westminster. The nesting pair at the lake recently welcomed three eaglets — the first time they successfully raised hatchlings into juvenile eagles following years of tragedies that killed their previous offspring. The babies have since left the nest, but the lake has hosted a nesting pair since 1993.Chatfield State Park
Chatfield State Park is a popular spot for bird watchers and nature photographers, with photos of bald eagles in the park prevalent online. The birds are known to hang out around the reservoir of the park, located in Douglas and Jefferson counties.Cherry Creek State Park
Less than fourteen miles outside of downtown Denver, Cherry Creek State Park is the location of occasional bald eagle sightings during the winter. The park's 880-acre reservoir attracts all kinds of birds, with birding websites listing it as a go-to spot to seek bald eagles near the city.St. Vrain State Park
Another favorite among bird watchers is St. Vrain State Park just outside of Longmont. The numerous ponds, wetlands and rivers throughout the park are known to bring in bald eagles, including nesters and juvenile eagles, which have been spotted along the water in recent years.Stearns Lake
Stearns Lake in Boulder County has hosted a nesting pair of bald eagles since 2020, but disaster struck the birds in October when their nest was hit by lightning in a widely publicized event caught on camera. Both eagles survived the incident and were seen looking for a new nest in the area. Whether or not that pair resettles near the lake, it remains a good spot for bald eagle activity.If you look hard enough, bald eagles aren't hard to find in Denver proper; there have been recent sightings as close as Washington Park and City Park. But in general, stick around large bodies of water or along major rivers (statewide, those include the South Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, Yampa and Colorado rivers). Look for big trees nearby, then scan the branches for a bald-looking white head.
And when you see a bald eagle, be sure to congratulate it on its promotion.
