The experts have said no to Colorado wolves for a reason — voters should say no too
Colorado voters face an important decision this fall regarding wolf introduction. This measure is about more than wolves. It asks the real question: Who is better to understand the complexities of ecology, biology, and wildlife management — expert biologists who have dedicated their professional lives to our state’s cherished wildlife or voters who are being asked to consider eleven different and unrelated statewide ballot issues?
The answer is obvious — experts should be in charge of managing the state’s wildlife. That is why we encourage you to proudly vote no on Proposition 114.
First, the experts– the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission in this case — have studied wolves extensively and have decided against reintroducing them into Colorado four separate times, most recently in 2016. Meanwhile, a plan is in place to manage wolves that migrate here naturally.
If that’s not reason enough, remember that wolves are already here. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed multiple wolves living in Colo
rado over the last decade including a whole pack of wolves with newborn pups earlier this year. If wolves are already here and reproducing, why do we need to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to introduce more?
Finally, COVID- 19 has had far- reaching impacts, including on government spending. Lawmakers were recently forced to slash $ 3.3 billion from the state budget, about 25% compared to last year, including cuts to education and transportation. Shouldn’t we be prioritizing schools and roads over wolves, especially right now?
Some say that wolves will restore the natural balance and improve the ecosystem. That argument ignores the fact that elk and deer herds are already below population objectives in many parts of the state, all west of the Continental Divide where wolves would be introduced. With this year’s record- breaking wildfires, existing wildlife will be more stressed than ever — not a good time to introduce a new apex predator.
Because the experts have rejected wolf introduction, wolves already live here, we just cut funding for schools and roads, and wildlife is already stressed, we encourage you to reject Proposition 114. Leave wildlife management to the experts. Vote no on Proposition 114.