Connor Merritt

In a victory for science-based wildlife management, Colorado voters decisively rejected Proposition 127 on November 5, 2024. As reported by the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, the measure sought to restrict Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) from managing large cat populations such as the Colorado mountain lion and bobcat. Proposed by an out-of-state group with substantial out-of-state funding, Prop 127 aimed to place restrictions on hunting that opponents argued could disrupt the balance of local ecosystems and erode CPW’s authority over wildlife management. 

The Value of Voter Education 

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) played a central role in educating voters about the initiative’s potential impact. Working alongside hunters, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts, the CSF spearheaded a campaign to highlight the importance of leaving wildlife management to professionals, rather than making decisions through ballot initiatives. 

“Ballot box biology” — making wildlife policy decisions through public votes rather than expert-led research — poses risks for Colorado’s ecosystem, according to CPW and its supporters. As CSF pointed out, professional wildlife managers rely on data-driven techniques that adapt to the changing needs of animal populations, ensuring ecosystem balance and public safety. Bypassing this process could leave Colorado’s natural resources vulnerable. 

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A Victory for Colorado Mountain Lion and Bobcat Hunters

Colorado voters saw through the emotional appeals of Proposition 127’s proponents, voting instead to keep scientific stewardship in place. In response to the success of their voter education campaign, CSF said, “Coloradans have ensured that the state’s ecosystem will continue to thrive under the skilled, scientific stewardship of CPW.” 

As CSF celebrates this victory, they extended their gratitude to the Colorado public and everyone involved in the effort, emphasizing that the outcome protects Colorado’s ecosystems and respects the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. 

Read the full story on Congressional Sportsmen here. 

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