The Commission supported Chapter 3 (Reintroduction Implementation) of the draft plan, as written, provided the Technical Working Group recommendations are incorporated by reference into the plan and that wolves injured in transport, if any, will be sent to a rehabilitation facility where feasible and appropriate in lieu of euthanasia. The Commission supported Chapter 4 (Recovery of Wolves in Colorado) of the draft plan, as written, concerning the population thresholds for the conclusion of Phases 1 and 2. The Commission supported Chapter 4 (Recovery of Wolves in Colorado) of the draft plan, provided the plan removes “Phase 4” (the in the future if the wolf is classified as a big game species, hunting would be a means of control) and adds the following statement on long-term management of wolves: At some point in the future, the long-term management of wolves in Colorado may need to be considered further than what is outlined in this plan. These discussions would only occur after wolves have successfully been recovered and removed from the State Threatened and Endangered list. The long?term management of wolves should be impact- and science-based, with consideration of biological and social science as well as economic and legal considerations.
CPW will defer consideration of and development of specifics for long?term management until the beginning of Phase 3 at the earliest, when better information about wolves and their distribution in Colorado is available. Future management will be guided by the best available biological and social science data provided by CPW. This plan takes no position as to whether the Parks and Wildlife Commission has the statutory authority to reclassify wolves as a game species or take other appropriate management actions. The Commission supported Chapter 5 (Wolf Management), as written. The plan will not contain a geographical distribution component as a prerequisite to gray wolves moving from Phase 1 (endangered) to Phase 2 (threatened). See § 33-1-102(44), CRS (“Threatened species” means any species or subspecies of wildlife which, as determined by the commission, is not in immediate jeopardy of extinction but is vulnerable because it exists in such small numbers or is so extremely restricted throughout all or a significant portion of its range that it may become endangered.”) To transition from Phase 2 to Phase 3, the plan will be amended to require a count of 150 wolves for two successive years or 200 wolves at any time and will add a geographical distribution component through a finding that the species “is present in a significant portion of its range." The plan will be amended to require Division staff to conduct a population viability analysis as a prerequisite to gray wolves moving from Phase 2 (threatened) to Phase 3 (nongame). Following the conclusion of the initial release, CPW staff will provide updates on the plan at least annually to the Commission on the plan’s progress, but staff can be asked to provide an update at any time interval as there are new developments. A more formal review of progress on the plan will be scheduled for five years after the initial release. Final edits are being made to the draft plan now based on the Commission’s guidance. The final Plan, and associated regulations, will be adopted via a two-step approval process at the Commission meetings on April 6 in Steamboat Springs and on May 3 - 4 in Glenwood Springs.
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Instead of facing that issue now, they have either given up or kicked the can down the road.
But some in Colorado believe that the Democrats' dominant performance heralds a more fundamental realignment of party politics and political values in the state.
Dick Wadhams, a former Colorado Republican state chairman and veteran campaign manager, believes Democrats stand to dominate Colorado for a "generation."
When asked how long a "generation" is, he answered, "20 to 30 years."
Be it noted, wolves can be reintroduced into Colorado without the Federal 10 J rule Plan in place here, but with out the rule, there will be less management flexibility in managing wolves in Colorado. It was also noted that historically there will be a law suit by prowolf, anti hunting groups once the USFWS 10 J in approved on the federal level. The question was raised, why would the prowolfers not wait until the wolves are in Colorado and the find way to get their way with law suits here. This might be the most likely outcome but we will just have to wait and see. Those, the majority of uneducated voters, that voted for the wolf reintroduction had no idea the blood , sweat and tears that have been shed over this issue to date by CPW staff and the funding that will be necessary in the present and future. As one CPW staffer stated, "THIS IS JUST THE BEGINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The word on the street, and to no surprise, it is a political TOP DOWN, Governor, dilemma, causing even more stress throughout the ranks.
The Biden admin cabinet has a couple winners all T’eed up for ya.
Its that we need to pull out all the stops and band together ACROSS THE COUNTRY to intervene in these individual attacks on hunting.
I’m not showing them my common sense based on previous experiences management plan. It has three phases. The last phase includes the right to remain silent.
