Wolf plan should focus on reintroduction, not hunting

I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life, and I’m not the first to say it, but I love it here! I love the outdoors, especially hiking. Some of my favorite hiking spots are Chautauqua Park and Blue Lakes Trail. I love our public spaces, and I love when Coloradans commit to nurturing and protecting them.

I want to see our environment thrive, and the reintroduction of gray wolves is a big part of that. Not only are they an iconic symbol of wild unbridled nature, but they also help protect our ecosystems as a keystone species that prevents overpopulation and habitat destruction. As a Colorado native and nature enthusiast, I want to see it implemented properly.

In November 2020 when we voted on Proposition 114 to reintroduce wolves to Colorado, we voted to focus on conservation and science so that wolves and Coloradans could coexist peacefully. However, as a guest opinion by Aubyn Royall explains, the Wolf Restoration and Management Draft Plan falls short of this ideal. In Phase Four of the plan, wolves are considered a big game species, which opens the door for trophy hunting, despite the fact that Prop. 114 specified that wolves would be considered a nongame species.

Royall stresses that “Phase Four is irresponsible and should be removed from the draft plan altogether,” quite a reasonable demand considering the premise of Prop. 114.

This conversation about game hunting is premature. In order to preserve our ecosystem’s future, our concern should be about reintroducing them in the most scientific way. We voted for reintroduction, not hunting.

— Jordan Koler, Denver