CFO Convention 2026
Loveland, Colorado
The 2026 CFO Convention will be held May 28 - 31, 2026.
May. A most magical month for spring migration in Colorado. And with our 2026 "Peaks to Prairie" Convention, you'll get to experience much of what our state has to offer. With our field trip options you could see a high-altitude bird like an American Three-toed Woodpecker on one day, and a grassland specialty like the Chestnut-collared Longspur the next day. Combine our extensive field trip offerings with a robust science session, a lively Exhibit Hall, and opportunities to connect with fellow birders, and you'll experience a memorable birding event you won't soon forget. Join us!
Banner image: Photo by Charlie Lee
Logo design by Moira Wisteria. Moira has been an illustrator for over 10 years, and their passion for conservation and biodiversity has influenced their artistic style ever since they could first hold a pencil. An art major turned biology major, they blend their love of the arts and animals into each piece they create. You can find them on Instagram @moirastrapia.777
Registration Closed for 2026
I can't log in to my CFO account to register?
On the Member Login page, please select "Having trouble logging in?" (under the Log In button). You will be sent an email to the email associated with your account with directions on how to reset your password. If you don't get an email with a minute, please check your spam folder.
You can also set up your online CFO account in this same way if you have not done so already.
If you remain unable to access your account, please email membership@cobirds.org. We are a primarily volunteer-run organization so it may take us a few days to get back to you.
I want to register more than one person. How do I do this?
Each person must register from their own account and submit a separate registration. (The only exception is the ability to buy an additional banquet ticket for another person).
If you have two devices (computers, tablets, cell phones), we suggest you each log in to your account on a different device and register simultaneously to ensure the availability of trips, if you so choose. Otherwise, register and pay for one person, then log out, log into the other account, and register the other person.
CFO Members
To get the membership rate, each attendee must be a CFO member. CFO offers $15 household membership for any additional individuals living in the same household. Learn about household memberships.
Non-Members
If you are not a CFO member, simply fill out a registration form for the first person and then repeat the process again for other individuals. An account will be created for each individual.
I want to change something on my registration.
Please contact us with the needed change. Depending on the change, there may be additional costs associated (e.g., if you change to a field trip with a separate fee, or add on a t-shirt).
How do I sign up for field trips or a workshop?
The field trip and workshop sign ups are part of the registration process. On the registration form, you will choose from drop-down menus what field trips you would like to attend on which days.
Please review your registration after and ensure that you have registered for the correct field trips. Some field trips and workshops have an additional fee associated with them to cover trip-specific costs.
If you would like to change something email info@cobirds.org.
How do I access my registration after I have registered?
If you want to access your registration in the future you can access it by clicking on "Account" in the upper right corner of this page and then "Member Portal" (even if you aren't a CFO member). In your portal, there is a "registered events" link.
This applies to anyone with a CFO web account (e.g. you've registered for an event), even if they aren't a CFO member.
Click on "Details" next to the 2022 Pueblo Convention.
Those who attend may see...
Pawnee National Grasslands. Photo by Megan Jones Patterson.
Western Tanager. Photo by Charlie Lee.
A mountain riparian location. Photo by Megan Jones Patterson.
Yellow-breasted chat. Photo by Charlie Lee.
Dusky Grouse. Photo by Peter Burke.
Convention Program
Everything you need to know while attending the 2026 CFO Convention in Loveland. The Convention Program is digital only. Please download the PDF for your reference or print it out if you prefer a paper copy. The PDF will be available soon!
Schedule
The schedule is subject to change. Check the schedule on the website or the convention app for any changes prior to the convention. All activities are at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Conference Center except as noted.
Thursday May 28, 2026
7:00 am - 4:00 pm Arrival field trips
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Welcome picnic w/ packet pick up - Centennial Park, Loveland (Catering starts at 6 pm)
Friday May 29, 2026
4:30 am - 9:00 am Breakfast Buffet* - Cafe
5:00 am - 7:00 am Lunch pick up - Lake Loveland
5:00 am - 6:50 am Info Table w/ packet pick up - High Meadows area
5:15 am - 4:00 pm Field trips (full & half day trips) - High Meadows area
2:00 pm - 7:30 pm Exhibit Hall open - Snowberry/Goldenglow
4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Info Table w/ packet pick up - High Meadows area
4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Silent Auction - Snowberry/Goldenglow
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Social - High Meadows area
Saturday May 30, 2026
4:30 am - 10:30 am Breakfast Buffet* - Cafe
5:00 am - 7:00 am Lunch pick up - Lake Loveland
5:00 am - 6:50 am Info Table w/ packet pick up - High Meadows area
5:15 am - 4:00 pm Field trips (full & half day trips) - High Meadows area
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Exhibits/Vendors open - Snowberry/Goldenglow
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Silent Auction (last chance!) - Snowberry/Goldenglow
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm Info Table - High Meadows area
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm Science Session - Riverbirch
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Banquet & CFO Annual Meeting - Riverbirch
8:00 pm - 8:30 pm Silent Auction Payment/Pickup - Snowberry/Goldenglow
Sunday May 31, 2026
4:30 am - 10:30 am Breakfast Buffet* - Cafe
5:00 am - 7:00 am Lunch pick up - Lake Loveland
5:00 am - 6:50 am Info Table w/ packet pick up - High Meadows area
5:00 am - 6:15 am Silent Auction Payment/Pickup - Snowberry/Goldenglow
5:15 am - 4:00 pm Field trips (full & half day trips) - High Meadows area
Monday June 1, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm State Forest/Arapaho NWR Trip - Walden, CO
* Breakfast buffet & morning coffee/tea are only available to those who are guests at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland - or - those who have purchased the buffet for $17 per day. See Convention Logistics for more information.
Keynote Speaker
Muses in the Night: The Charm and Mystery of Owls and Their Power to Move Us to Action
Marion Clément, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
From ethereal silhouettes to unforgettable encounters, owls have a way of capturing our imaginations—and sometimes, changing the course of our lives. In her talk, avian ecologist Marion Clément shares how a fascination with owls first took hold and ultimately shaped her career in conservation science.
Marion explores the remarkable adaptations that make owls both captivating and challenging to study, before introducing three research efforts at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies that span species and scales: long-term monitoring of Mexican Spotted Owls and what it reveals about forest management, a volunteer-driven banding collaboration uncovering new insights into Northern Saw-whet Owls across North America, and a community-powered project focused on urban screech owls along Colorado’s Front Range. Woven throughout are stories of curiosity, collaboration, and connection: revealing how people inspired by owls have become essential partners in advancing research and conservation. This talk is both a celebration of owls and a testament to the power of wonder to spark meaningful action.
Marion Clément is an avian ecologist specializing in raptor conservation and owl research. She has worked with owls since 2015, where an early American Barn Owl monitoring project sparked her passion for wildlife research. Marion spent five years as a wildlife biologist in Maryland before steering the launch of the Maryland Bird Conservancy Partnership, a nonprofit collaborative of conservation partners. She earned her M.S. from Clemson University, where she studied habitat selection of Barred Owls along an urban gradient. She moved to Colorado in 2020 to work on Threatened and Endangered Species with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and later joined Bird Conservancy of the Rockies in 2022 to lead their Mexican Spotted Owl monitoring. She also coordinates a migratory owl banding station and a community supported urban screech owl project. Outside of work, Marion enjoys biking, rafting, salsa dancing, and painting.
Those who registered for the CFO Banquet should join us Saturday night to hear from our 2026 CFO Convention Speaker.
Convention Logistics
Locations
Housing
Shirts & Hats
Transportation
Science Sessions
Food Selections
Attendance & Cancellation Policy
Convention Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Conference Center - 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, CO
You can find a link to book a room at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland on the convention webpage under Logistics, then Housing to get a reduced CFO block rate. The CFO room block is set for check in Thursday May 28, 2026 and check out Sunday May 31, 2026. If you want to stay outside of these dates (e.g. you want to stay for the Monday trip), make sure to manually change the dates by clicking on Edit Stay near the top of the page when making your reservation.
If you do not use the website link to make your reservation, you will not be eligible for the CFO room block discount. Reservations must be made by April 28, 2026 to get the discount.
Welcome Picnic
Centennial Park - 977 W. First Street, Loveland, CO
The park is located at the corner of First Street & Taft Avenue. The Big Thompson River runs along the north side of the park and the park is across from Jayhawker Ponds so bring your binoculars! The Welcome Picnic will be held at the only shelter in the park, near the baseball fields.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Conference Center
CFO has arranged for a hotel block at Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Conference Center for the duration of the convention. To get the special rate, you must book using the link below. Booking through this housing block must be made by April 28, 2026 to get the discount.
If you do not use the website link to make your reservation, you will not be eligible for the CFO room block discount.
The CFO room block is set for check in Thursday, May 28, 2026 and check out Sunday, May 31, 2026. If you want to stay outside of these dates (e.g. you want to stay for the Monday trip), make sure to manually change the dates by clicking on Edit Stay near the top of the page when making your reservation.
Rooms & Rates - all rooms are non-smoking and have a sleeper sofa in the seating area.
2 Room Suite - 1 King Bed - Sleeps 4 - $156.00
2 Room Suite - 1 King Bed Mountain View - Sleeps 4 - $156.00
2 Room Suite - 2 Queen Beds with Mountain View - Sleeps 6 - $156.00
Amenities
Rooms in the CFO block come with complimentary parking, complimentary wifi, and breakfast buffet (there may be fees associated for these if you don’t book with the CFO room block). The hotel has EV Charging stations. All rooms have a microwave and mini-fridge.
Check-in is 4:00 pm and Check-out is 12:00 pm.
Convention Shirts & Hats
Order your exclusive convention merch with your registration – they will not be available for sale at the convention.
The 2026 convention art featured on the shirts is the work of Moira Hyde connecting the mountains to the plains. The art portrays a male Chestnut-collared Longspur in its display flight with a Prairie Falcon behind flying with the background.
The unisex shirts are from Comfort Colors and are 100% cotton. These are the same shirts that were so popular at the 2025 Grand Junction convention. Expect some shrinkage and washing in cold water is recommended.
The women’s cut shirt is from District and is a 50% polyester, 25% cotton, 25% rayon blend. These shirts are very soft but we are assured they are more solidly constructed than the brand of shirt we use for the Pueblo and Lamar conventions.
The last day to order any of these items with your registration is May 8, 2026. Shirts cannot be purchased with Late Registration.
Short-sleeved Unisex Shirt (S-4XL) - $22 - In a beautiful blue color representing the clear Colorado skies.
Short-sleeved Women’s V neck Shirt (XS-4XL) - $22 - In a beautiful blue color representing the clear Colorado skies.
Long-sleeved Unisex Shirt - $32 - In a rich green, this shirt hints at the grasslands and forest that we’ll be visiting during the conference.
CFO Hat - $25 - Embroidered CFO logo on front of ball cap.
Manufacturer’s Sizing Information
Unisex shirts
Women’s Cut shirts
Field Trips
All field trip transportation will be by carpooling in private vehicles. This will be arranged as a group by the field trip leaders approximately 1 week before the convention. Individuals do not need to have their own vehicle to participate on field trips. Plan for the carpool group to reimburse the driver at the rate of 70 cents per mile. The cost is divided among the passengers and the driver is included in the calculations when figuring out the per person costs.
To/From Loveland
Along the Front Range and servicing Loveland are several regional bus systems. There are Amtrak train and Bustang bus services from the Grand Junction on the western slope to the Front Grange.
Science Sessions
Join us Saturday, May 30 for some great Science Sessions. See the program here.
Food Selections
During the convention registration, you will need to select food options for some ticketed events. Below are descriptions of food provided during different events – some have costs on top of the conference registration cost. If you have a special dietary concern, please note it in the Dietary Restriction textbox of the registration form and we will pass the information to the caterers.
Welcome Picnic
The Welcome Picnic is included in your registration but we ask you to indicate whether you plan to attend to help us with the catering numbers. You can purchase additional tickets for the Welcome Picnic for any non-convention attending individual.
The Welcome Picnic is catered by Fresh Plate Catering and will feature a delicious farm fresh dinner.
Breakfasts
For guests staying at the convention hotel, Embassy Suites Hilton, the hotel’s breakfast buffet will be open daily from 4:30 am - 9/10:30 am (weekdays/weekends respectively). Plates will be allowed to be taken into the High Meadows where the field trips will be meeting and there will be a station to drop off the plates there.
Convention Participants Not Staying at Embassy Suites Hilton
Convention participants not staying at the Embassy Suites Hilton can purchase the Breakfast Buffet for $17 per day. An email in early May will be sent to registered participants with information on how to purchase these tickets. All breakfasts much be purchased by 14 May.
Convention participants who do not stay at the Hilton and do not purchase the buffet will need to provide their own breakfast and coffee as these will not be available to them. There are no To Go breakfasts.
Lunches
With your registration, you may purchase a pre-packed lunch that will be available to pick up each morning from 5:00-7:00 am in the High Meadows. All lunches must be ordered when you register and cost $23 per person per day.
Participants on all-day field trips need to bring lunches. Participants on a half day trip may also want the convenience of purchasing a lunch.
Gluten-Free Options: All sandwiches can be prepared gluten-free. When registering, please select your option and denote that you need it gluten-free in the Dietary Preferences textbox.
Pre-packed lunch options may vary by the day. Options include:
- Sliced Smoked Turkey Breast – with vine-ripened tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, and lemon aioli; served with a side (pasta or potato salad) and dessert
- Ham and Cheddar Cheese – with vine-ripened tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, and lemon aioli; served with a side (pasta or potato salad) and dessert
- Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato – with pesto on a ciabatta roll (Vegetarian)
- Greek Veggie Wrap – with roasted red pepper hummus in a spinach wrap (Vegetarian/Vegan)
Banquet - Details Coming Soon
Enjoy a delicious meal in the company of your fellow CFO members before learning about the The CFO Banquet and Annual Meeting is a ticketed event. All attendees can purchase additional tickets for the banquet for any non-convention attending individual.
Menu - $60 Chicken/Beef Entree / $55 Veggie Entree - Details Coming Soon
Choice of:
- Lemon Harissa Chicken: Harissa- spiced Airline Chicken Breast, Herb Jus, Lemon Orzo, and Seasonal Vegetable
- Stout-Braised Beef Short Rib: Slow-Cooked Short Rib with Braising Jus and Chef’s Choice of Vegetable and Starch
- Roasted Vegetable Polenta Cake with Tofu: Sautéed Vegetable Ratatouille served atop a Polenta Cake with Tofu, Roasted Red Pepper Sauce and Chef’s Choice of Seasonal Vegetable
All dinners include assorted rolls and butter, salad, chef’s choice dessert, water and a coffee station
All participants in the CFO 2026 convention are expected to:
- Abide by the CFO Code of Conduct
- Comply with the directions of the event leaders
Participants on 2026 Convention field trips are expected to:
- Stay with the group.
- Notify the trip leader and the driver of the vehicle in which you are riding, if carpooling, of any plans to leave the group.
- Make sure all carpool participants are in the vehicle when you leave any destination.
- Not undertake any endeavor that would endanger your health, or the health of others, as you know it.
- Observe all applicable rules of conduct, policy, regulation and law, whether on public or private lands.
- Adhere to the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics.
Non-smoking policy
Smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during the 2026 Convention, including field trips.
Pet Policy
No pets (other than service animals) are allowed during convention events, including field trips, workshops, socials, banquet, and science session.
Cancellation Refund Policy
CFO must receive written notification of registration cancellation on or by May 7th to receive a full refund. Deadlines for partial refunds for registration cancellation or modifications are May 13th (80% of total order) and May 18th (50% of total order).
Feeling Sick?
- Attendees should stay home if they feel they are sick.
- Frequent hand washing for 20 seconds to ensure safety. Please cover your face when coughing or sneezing.
- Consider wearing a mask during Convention if you are feeling ill with a possibly contagious respiratory illness.
- Masks are meant to protect other people. Please be cognizant of the health and safety concerns of others with whom you are participating in a shared event.
Field Trips
May. A most magical month for spring migration in Colorado. And with our 2026 "Peaks to Prairie" Convention, you'll get to experience much of what our state has to offer. With our field trip options you could see a high-altitude bird like an American Three-toed Woodpecker on one day, and a grassland specialty like the Chestnut-collared Longspur the next day. Combine our extensive field trip offerings with a robust science session, a lively Exhibit Hall, and opportunities to connect with fellow birders, and you'll experience a memorable birding event you won't soon forget.
Registration is now closed for 2026. For those who are registered, please see the Convention Program here.
Social Events
Welcome Picnic - Meet 'n' greet, great food, and usually a notable bird sighting or two. Our convention kicks off with a Thursday evening picnic. Catch up with old friends, make new friends, pick up your convention packet, watch birds, and eat yourself silly.
The Welcome Picnic is included in your registration but we ask you to indicate whether you plan to attend to help us with the catering numbers. You can purchase additional tickets for the Welcome Picnic for any non-convention attending individual.
The Welcome Picnic is catered by Fresh Plate Catering and will feature a delicious farm fresh dinner.
Friday Night Social - Come relax and share the day's sightings with others on Friday evening. Light food will be provided. Cash bar.
The social is included in the cost of registration. When registering, we request you select the event if you plan to attend to help us plan catering needs.
Science Session
Come learn about what is happening with our local birds from avian researchers working across Colorado. The scientific session will be held on Saturday afternoon. All convention registrants are welcome to attend.
Please review the Science Session Program for more information.
Banquet & Keynote
An evening of laughter, food, and learning.
Keynote Speaker
Marion Clément, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
CFO is excited to host Marion Clément as she gives the Keynote address during the CFO Convention Banquet.
Muses in the Night: The Charm and Mystery of Owls and Their Power to Move Us to Action
From ethereal silhouettes to unforgettable encounters, owls have a way of capturing our imaginations—and sometimes, changing the course of our lives. In her talk, avian ecologist Marion Clément shares how a fascination with owls first took hold and ultimately shaped her career in conservation science.
Marion explores the remarkable adaptations that make owls both captivating and challenging to study, before introducing three research efforts at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies that span species and scales: long-term monitoring of Mexican Spotted Owls and what it reveals about forest management, a volunteer-driven banding collaboration uncovering new insights into Northern Saw-whet Owls across North America, and a community-powered project focused on urban screech owls along Colorado’s Front Range.
Woven throughout are stories of curiosity, collaboration, and connection: revealing how people inspired by owls have become essential partners in advancing research and conservation. This talk is both a celebration of owls and a testament to the power of wonder to spark meaningful action.
Marion Clément is an avian ecologist specializing in raptor conservation and owl research. She has worked with owls since 2015, where an early American Barn Owl monitoring project sparked her passion for wildlife research. Marion spent five years as a wildlife biologist in Maryland before steering the launch of the Maryland Bird Conservancy Partnership, a nonprofit collaborative of conservation partners. She earned her M.S. from Clemson University, where she studied habitat selection of Barred Owls along an urban gradient. She moved to Colorado in 2020 to work on Threatened and Endangered Species with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and later joined Bird Conservancy of the Rockies in 2022 to lead their Mexican Spotted Owl monitoring. She also coordinates a migratory owl banding station and a community supported urban screech owl project. Outside of work, Marion enjoys biking, rafting, salsa dancing, and painting.
CFO Annual Meeting
Attendees will also elect new CFO Board Members, and learn about CFO's achievements in the past year and plans for the future.
Sponsors
CFO thanks the following sponsors for supporting the 2026 Convention in Loveland. All sponsors (except Colorado Wildlife Council) will have a table in the Snowberry/Goldenglow room, please visit them!
Golden Eagle Sponsor
Snowy Egret Sponsor
Western Kingbird Sponsors
Exhibitors
All exhibitors will have a table in the Snowberry/Goldenglow room, please visit them!
Instagram account: @conservationclay
Exhibitor Information
Exhibitors at the CFO Convention will be located in the Snowberry/Goldenglow room adjacent to the Rotunda and Riverbirch rooms where other convention activities are occurring. This will yield high foot traffic and the opportunity to interact with the vast majority of convention attendees.
Exhibitors are responsible for complying with any applicable city, county, or state taxes on items sold at the convention.
Exhibit Hall Hours
Friday, May 29th: 2:00 - 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 30th: 12:00 - 5:00 pm