Fresh off a muddled, confusing debate resulting in the approval of a petition to ban the sale of wild fur, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission now has two more citizen petitions filed for its consideration. One of them seeks to ban the use of lead ammunition in Colorado while the other focuses on CPW’s use of science to create rules and regulations.
Colorado statute allows any resident the opportunity to alter or create a new regulation, or remove an existing rule, by submitting a petition to initiate such a process. CPW staff review and make recommendations, but the commission ultimately decides if it is worthy of consideration.
The two petitions are yet to receive approval to advance.
Lead Ammunition Ban Petition
This citizen petition is straightforward in its goal to “ban the use of lead-based ammunition for hunting in Colorado.” Sitting atop the 18 groups endorsing the measure is Animal Wellness Action, an animal rights organization led by Wayne Pacelle, former CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, a well-known activist and anti-hunting group. The petition insists its implementation would “protect, preserve and manage the wildlife resources of the State.”
The petitioners require ammunition users, whether individuals or manufacturers, to submit information to CPW proving their ammo follows petition guidelines according to caliber, grain weight, composition, content of lead by weight and other characteristics.
It is already illegal to hunt waterfowl with lead shot as that rule took effect 35 years ago.
Environmental organizations and lawmakers are also seeking lead bans in other states, but California is the only state to enact such a ban.
Use of Science Petition
A citizen petition submitted in late April calls on CPW and its commission to use the “best available scientific evidence,” including independent, peer-reviewed science outside of CPW as needed, when creating rules, regulations, management plans and policies.” CPW has more than 30 research scientists, including an internal research program, and hundreds of biologists on its staff who have a proven track record recovering and managing Colorado’s game and nongame species. This petition would empower politically appointed commissioners to disregard their recommendations.
“On multiple occasions...CPW rules, regulations, and policies have departed from the best available science, resulting in measurable harm to the state’s wildlife and ecosystems,” activist Eric Washburn claims in his 13-page petition.
The activists highlight several politicized wildlife issues ranging from beaver management to the ability of gray wolves to curtail the spread of chronic wasting disease. However, a recent interview with a well-known wildlife researcher who literally wrote the book on deer in the Southwest, expressed caution to those who make assumptions by applying selective results to a population level.
Washburn was an outspoken proponent of Proposition 114 that led to the implementation of Colorado’s messy and unpopular wolf program. Another petition supporter, Gary Skiba, resigned from the CPW commission before being ousted by the state Senate and serves on the board of a pro-wolf organization that supported Prop 114.
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.
