The Colorado Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee rejected two of three candidates appointed by Governor Jared Polis to become members of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission.  

Committee members voted 7-0 in favor of Frances Silva Blayney but 5-2 against at-large representative John Emerick and 4-3 against sportsman’s representative Christopher Sichko, who has no experience hunting big game and opposes scientific predator management. 

“I just don’t think we should have somebody filling the sportsman’s seat that has not garnered any support from the sportsman community and doesn’t have the experience to recognize CPW’s funding source from the sportsman community,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-SD8), who also serves as committee chair, as he addressed Sichko. “CPW’s current financing is almost entirely from hunting licenses. We have someone, in your nomination, who has not ever big game hunted in Colorado. There were 12 other people who had big game hunting experience who applied for this job and met the statuary requirements.”  

Hunt 2 Conserve, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other hunting and conservation organizations actively oppose both the Sichko and Emerick appointments. 

Emerick served as treasurer of Colorado Wild, one of the state’s leading wolf advocacy organizations and was actively involved in the 2020 ballot initiative that forcefully introduced wolves into Colorado. 

“You have a history of very specific activism...but given the responsibility that the commission has, I do not think you are qualified or prepared or suited to serve in the at-large position,” Sen. Roberts told Emerick. 

As part of his comments, Sen. Roberts also took aim at the Polis Administration and its continual emphasis on placing or trying to place candidates on the commission lacking hunting experience and/or an understanding of conservation and scientific wildlife management. 

 “I believe we are continuing to see this administration trying to move the commission in a direction that is out of the mainstream of Colorado. I don’t think we should continue to support the direction that this administration is trying to move the commission, particularly with something that funds the agency,” added Sen. Roberts. 

The committee’s actions do not disqualify either candidate. However, their nominations go forward with an unfavorable designation to the full Colorado Senate for a scheduled vote on Friday, April 24.  

Hunt 2 Conserve agrees with and appreciates the committee’s action and urges the Senate to follow suit and reject both Emerick and Sichko.  

Click here to watch the hearing. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Colorado Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee)