We didn't go down without a fight
In the three years leading up to reintroduction, myself and other Western Slope lawmakers worked to pass bills that would curtail the damage done by the reintroduction of wolves
Generated with AI ∙ January 10, 2024 at 4:10 PM
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SB23-256 was the last push to curtail the damage wolves will do, but other legislation was ran to help solve the problem as well. Myself alongside others, including our strongest advocate, Senator Perry Will, worked tirelessly from the moment Prop 114 was passed trying a myriad of creative solutions that you can read about below.
HB21-1037: Limit Designated Lands Gray Wolf Reintroduction
Rep. Soper | Sens. Rankin & Scott
Would have exempted counties who did not vote majority in favor of Prop 114 from the ‘designated lands’ unless said county held an individual election within the county to approve the reintroduction of wolves.
Would have exempted counties from wolf reintroduction if that county is home to prey of the gray wolf that is either:
already on or is a candidate for the federal Threatened or Endangered Species List
or if the State of Colorado has previously spent money to reintroduce or restore the prey species.
SB21-105: Implement and Finance Gray Wolf Reintroduction
Sen. Coram | Rep. Will
The Wildlife Commission would have been required to develop methodologies for determining
when the Gray Wolf population is self-sustaining
when to remove the Gray Wolf from the Endangered Species list
The Commission would have been required to request a Environmental Impact Study from the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
would have required the Commission to hold at least 1 public hearing in all of Colorado’s Congressional districts
except for CD3 which would have a minimum of 3 meetings because most of the designated lands are contained within CD3.
Finally, the Commission, as a result of these hearings, would have had to present a financial plan for the reintroduction of wolves to the General Assembly.
HB21-1040: General Fund Money For Reintroduction Of Wolves
Reps. Will & Valdez | Sens. Donovan & Rankin
Would have required that all costs associated with the reintroduction of gray wolves would come out of the Colorado State General Fund
By including the reintroduction cost in the General Fund it would have:
Decreased the total amount of funds available to the State for other projects
Prevented Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s cash fund from being depleted
Wolves are a dangerous threat to the Western Slope and the impacts of their reintroduction have yet to be felt. We have fought for you and will keep fighting to protect our Western hunting, farming, and ranching way of life. Given our Governor and his husband’s obvious disdain for Colorado’s most important industry, we must stay vigilant and despite all pressure continue to provide good nutritious food that the people of Colorado, and the world, need.
This is part three of our series on Wolf Reintroduction in Colorado. Please read our other two newsletters below.
