WHEREAS, at the November 5, 2024 statewide general election, voters will have the
opportunity to vote on Proposition 127, a ballot measure to change the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning a prohibition on the hunting of mountain lions, lynx, and bobcats and, in connection therewith, defining “trophy hunting” as the intentional killing, wounding, pursuing, entrapping, or discharging or releasing any deadly weapon at a mountain lion, lynx, or bobcat; creating exemptions from this prohibition including for the protection of human life, property, and livestock: establishing “trophy hunting” as a class 1 misdemeanor; and increasing fines and limiting wildlife license privileges for persons convicted of this crime; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 127 would prohibit all hunting of mountain lions, lynx and
bobcats, which would have significant consequences for the future of Colorado’s wildlife
management policies; and
WHEREAS, it is currently illegal to hunt lynx in Colorado because lynx are listed as
endangered in Colorado and federally listed as threatened; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 127 will undermine the authority of Colorado Parks and Wildlife
(“CPW”), which for decades has utilized regulated hunting as an effective tool to manage
Colorado’s mountain lion and bobcat populations; and
WHEREAS, according to CPW, mountain lions and bobcats are considered to have
healthy and stable populations. Prohibiting the hunting of these animals could result in rapid population increases, which would pose a significant threat to other species in Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 127 would require CPW to upend their current management plan
for mountain lions and bobcats. Not only this, but CPW would also likely have to change how they manage other wildlife species as well, due to their likely increase in predator populations. Proposition 127 would create a cascade effect that would require changes to wildlife management procedures that may do more harm than good; and
WHEREAS, oftentimes, changes to wildlife management policy can have a
disproportionate impact on Coloradans who live in rural areas and encounter these predators on a more frequent basis than their urban neighbors,
WHEREAS, fees collected from mountain lion and bobcat hunting contribute to
Colorado’s state parks and conservation efforts. These funds help keep our state parks open and well taken care of, as well as provide jobs for scientists and wildlife professionals in Colorado.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of the
County of Teller, Colorado, that the Board opposes Proposition 127, and urges our citizens to vote against Proposition 127 at the General Election.
APPROVED this 31st day of October 2024 at a regular meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners of Teller County, Colorado, held in Cripple Creek, Colorado.
