If approved by 55% of eligible Colorado voters, the right to hunt, fish, and take wildlife using unspecified “traditional methods”, including trapping, will be added to the Colorado Constitution. Supported with financial backing from powerful outside special interest groups, similar constitutional amendments have been adopted in two dozen states, including my previous home state of Kansas.
I grew up in Texas, bird hunting and fishing on the coast. After moving to Kansas, I became a Master Naturalist and served for almost a decade on the Kansas Nongame Wildlife Advisory Council to the Secretary of the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Now a resident of Colorado, I was appointed recently to the Wildlife and Habitat Roundtable, an advisory body to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), which focuses on species and habitat conservation, scientific research, policy and legislation and emerging wildlife issues.
As in Kansas, the proposed amendment appears to be a case of a solution in search of a problem with one sentence of special concern. The language states, “The policy of the State of Colorado is that hunting and fishing are the preferred means of responsibly managing fish and wildlife populations.” The use of the word “preferred” implies legal obligations by State agencies, which could be used in future costly court cases.
From my experience with these advisory bodies, I have learned that wildlife management issues are complex and often must be addressed case by case. Management decisions should be based on the best available science and on recommendations made by expert wildlife biologists. All reasonable alternatives for maintaining healthy ecosystems and protecting biodiversity must be considered and evaluated. Public hunting, fishing, and trapping remain options and will continue to be without this Constitutional Amendment.
I believe that game and nongame wildlife contribute to the quality of life for both residents and visitors to Colorado. Our native plants and animals are held in public trust by CPW, a national leader in conservation, recreation, and wildlife management.
Coloradans don’t need outside special interest groups mandating how to care for our wildlife and cluttering our State Constitution with unnecessary amendments. Vote “No” on Amendment 83!
Elaine - Trinidad, CO
Member of the Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) Wildlife and Habitat Roundtable