Marking a clear and decisive win for hunting and science-based wildlife management, two Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission candidates withdrew their nominations prior to their scheduled confirmation vote on April 24 in the Colorado Senate. 

Chris Sichko was nominated to serve as the sportspersons representative and John Emerick as an at-large representative. The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources gave each of them a not-be-confirmed recommendation during a hearing two days earlier, while recommending Frances Silva Blayney as sportsperson and outfitters representative.  

“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-Avon) during the committee hearing, 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.”   

Sichko is a self-proclaimed angler and small game hunter and was appointed to take the place of Murphy Robinson, an active hunter, who resigned in late 2025. 

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. As a parliamentary maneuver, the Senate voted to lay over appointments for Sichko and Emerick until May 14. The session ends on May 13. The Senate approved Silva Blayney. 

Every member of Colorado’s 13-person CPW Commission has been appointed by Governor Polis. Hunter and outdoor groups say the commission’s actions show it has changed in recent years to favor animal rights and anti-hunting policies. Most recently, it ignored recommendations  from both CPW leadership and its biologists by voting in favor of a petition from an activist environmental organization to ban the sale, barter or trade of wild fur. 

“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,” said Sen. Roberts.  

Hunt 2 Conserve lauds the outdoor community for standing up for hunting and scientific wildlife management. 

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)