Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has vetoed a bill providing management flexibility by requiring the state to have a federal ruling in place before reintroducing wolves.
Senate Bill (SB) 23-256, Management of Gray Wolves Reintroduction, would require a 10(j) rule to be granted to Colorado from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to designate wolves as a “nonessential, experimental population” before being introduced in the state.
Polis stated in his veto letter while he supports reintroducing wolves under the 10(j) rule, SB 23-256 “is unnecessary and undermines the voters’ intent,” as well as the commission’s work, and suggested it “could actually interfere with successfully receiving experimental population designation, which is the purported purpose of the bill.”
Polis also sent a letter to Dan Gibbs, executive director of the Department of Natural Resources, directing the agency to work with USFWS, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado Park and Wildlife Commission to continue “taking all steps possible to obtain a 10(j) rule prior to the release of gray wolves in Colorado.”
Rep. Matt Soper (R-CO-54), one of the bill’s co-sponsors, told Colorado Politics the bill was insurance for ranchers and a compromise between stakeholders who wanted a 10(j) rule.
“To say it usurps the will of the people is wrong,” Soper said. “He could have, at a minimum, allowed the bill to become law without his signature.”
Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-CO-8), who co-sponsored SB 23-256, told Colorado Politics he is “incredibly disappointed” with the news of the governor’s veto. Roberts said the bill was tailored to those who live around wolves to have the tools to manage wolf reintroduction and protect their livestock.
“I don’t understand the reasoning behind the veto, and I’m disappointed for my constituents who asked for this flexibility,” Roberts said. “The process of reintroduction depends on 10(j) being in place.”
Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) said in a statement it is extremely disappointed by Gov. Polis’ decision to veto the bill, which would have provided flexibility in wolf management practices for livestock producers. CCA continued the veto ignored the hard work of stakeholders and favors special interest groups over the agriculture community.
“By establishing clear guidelines for managing wolf populations, the bill would have ensured that our livestock and property are protected while preserving the ecological balance of our state,” said Philip Anderson, CCA President. “Unfortunately, Governor Polis’ choice to veto this bill will ultimately harm Colorado’s agriculture community and eliminate needed assurance for producers.”
CCA said it would continue to engage in the wolf introduction process and would “exhaust all possible options to defend our industry” to defend livestock producers and the industry.
Carlyle Currier, president of the Colorado Farm Bureau, also expressed disappointment by the veto stating the bill resulted from the hard work of legislators and stakeholders working together to benefit ranchers and the community in Colorado’s Western Slope.
“The governor’s disregard for those living in western Colorado and his direct rebuke of the legislature’s will is not how we protect ranchers and their livestock nor is it how to ensure successful wolf reintroduction,” Currier said. — Charles Wallace, WLJ editor
