Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

An elk grazes.  David Hannigan, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

By Nancy Lofholm,The Denver Post

GUNNISON — Hunters in the Gunnison Basin are putting meat on low-income tables this holiday season through an innovative big-game donation program.

Ranchers and Sportsmen Together for the Hungry, founded last year by Gunnison County resident Allen Moores, solicits donations of deer and elk and an occasional moose, has it ground, and turns it over to churches and food banks.

The Division of Wildlife participates by making extra hunting tags available in an area that is currently overpopulated by elk. The towns of Crested Butte and Gunnison, Gunnison County and the Gunnison Stockgrowers Assn. contribute to help with the cost of processing the meat.

Read more about the program, which is seeking donations.