Overall Unit direction is provided by a Coordinating Committee with representatives from the cooperators (USGS, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State University and the Wildlife Management Institute.)

Day to day operation of the Unit is provided by Dana Winkelman, Unit Leader and two Assistant Unit Leaders (positions currently vacant). These individuals are employees of USGS and have faculty appointments, teach formal graduate courses, and advise and direct graduate students and their research. Research programs are the result of efforts by Unit people in obtaining contracts or grants from federal, state, or private organizations. Most frequently, the research is done by graduate students while earning advanced degrees. Their degrees, Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy, are granted through the Department of Fish,Wildlife and Conservation Biology (formerly Fishery and Wildlife Biology).