(Editor’s note: This story was updated on May 29 following correspondence with ballot draft co-proponent Jessica Presso.)
A draft Colorado ballot proposal called the Colorado Wildlife & Biodiversity Protection Act, submitted for initial review to the Legislative Council Staff, outlines a contingency plan to establish an independent conservation commission if existing conservation agencies were to be defunded or disbanded.
Initiative 82 would create the “Wildlife & Ecosystem Conservation Commission” to serve as a contingency plan in the event that “existing conservation agencies such as Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) are defunded, disbanded or rendered operationally nonfunctional.”
The ballot proposal was brought forth independently by Jessica Presso and Cameron Porter. Presso and Porter also recently submitted two other ballot proposals, one titled the “Colorado Campaign Finance Integrity and Transparency Act,” and the other titled the “Colorado Independent Ethics & Anti-Corruption Act.”
Presso is actively seeking input from Coloradans most affected by the measure, including ranchers and hunters.
“As someone who grew up hunting and fishing, I deeply respect the contributions of ranchers, and I understand that many of us depend on their work,” Presso told WLJ. “This initiative is pro-rancher and pro-hunter.”
Presso continued that the draft measure would create a commission focused on landscape connectivity. “That’s a specialized job requiring ecological expertise, and creating this commission helps ensure CPW is not overburdened and can stay focused on its core missions.”
Presso emphasized that the the initiative is built on voluntary participation, and no landowner is required to join the wildlife corridor network proposed in the draft measure. “Those who do can access tax incentives and cost-share support, but the choice is entirely theirs. Incentives are tied to maintaining healthy, connected habitat—not to handing over land control.”
Presso plans to launch a feedback portal and host in-person meetings with rural communities, ranchers and outdoor users across the state.
