A potential prairie dog hunting ban highlights ongoing division, public trust concerns with Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission

At Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s November Commission meeting, a potential ban on prairie dog hunting highlighted the growing divide surrounding Colorado wildlife management. It follows recent meetings and decisions by the commission, which have led to a lawsuit, claims of bias from varying stakeholders and continual procedural disagreements, including a meeting in September that a state senator called “out of control.” The commission exists to set policies, rules and regulations for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It includes 11 voting members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. State law requires that these seats be represented by a mix of sportspersons, outfitters, agricultural producers, recreationists and representatives of the public at large. Under outgoing Gov. Jared Polis, these appointments have grown increasingly controversial, with accusations arising that the governor is pushing an anti-hunting political agenda through his nominees.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.