diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/version_release.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/version_release.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f0a7c0a975a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/version_release.md
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+name: Version Release
+about: Checklist to follow when shipping a new release.
+title: 'Release <V1.x.x> Checklist'
+labels: ''
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+<!-- markdownlint-disable MD034 -->
+<!--- The current milestones can be found at https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/milestones -->
+- [ ] Complete [Milestone](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/milestone/<Release Milesone>)
+<!-- markdownlint-enable MD034 -->
+- [ ] Update contrib codebase to support changes about to be released (use a git sha version)
+- [ ] [Pre-release](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/blob/main/RELEASING.md#pre-release)
+- [ ] [Tag](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/blob/main/RELEASING.md#tag)
+- [ ] [Release](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/blob/main/RELEASING.md#release)
+- [ ] [Check examples](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/blob/main/RELEASING.md#verify-examples)
+- [ ] [Sync with Contrib](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go-contrib/blob/main/RELEASING.md#upgrade-goopentelemetryiootel-packages)
+- [ ] [Release contrib](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go-contrib/blob/main/RELEASING.md#release-process)
+- [ ] [Sync website docs](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/blob/main/RELEASING.md#website-documentation)
+- [ ] Close the milestone
diff --git a/.lycheeignore b/.lycheeignore
index d300b3f801f..545d634525d 100644
--- a/.lycheeignore
+++ b/.lycheeignore
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 http://localhost
 http://jaeger-collector
+https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-go/milestone/