​​The Yampa is one of the few rivers in Colorado that remains almost entirely undammed with natural patterns of seasonal flow. Much as in past centuries, it supports a rich riparian ecosystem along much of its length. As a result, the birding opportunities are many, and recreational birders are rewarded with diverse bird sightings, sounds, and iconic nest-viewing opportunities.

Scoring for the Birding Indicator considers both environmental and accessibility components:

• Bird diversity
• Charismatic nest viewing
• Species of regional interest
• Seasonality of birding
• Access including parking and trails
• Environmental impacts to habitat
• Threats to birds