Proposition 114 – Reintroduction and Management of Gray Wolves

People hunted and trapped gray wolves until they were decimated in Colorado more than 70 years ago. Prop 114 would authorize reintroduction and management of a gray wolf population west of the Continental Divide, obtain regular public feedback on the plans and compensate livestock owners for losses.

If gray wolves remain on the federal endangered species list, then the US Fish and Wildlife Service is the management authority, and Colorado would need federal approval before reintroducing wolves. Gray wolves were reintroduced in the northern Rocky Mountains in 1995 and were removed from the endangered species list in that region in 2011. Idaho, Montana and Wyoming now have management authority for gray wolves.

Recommendation: leaning yes/leaning for

Sometimes Colorado likes to be on the forefront of changes – think marijuana and vote-by-mail. In this case, however, Colorado has other long-term models to follow, but opponents argue that the northern Rocky Mountains’ ecosystem is not similar to Colorado’s system and shouldn’t be used as a model.

Another state, Minnesota, has continuously had large wolf and human populations, indicating that the two populations can coexist. Biologists believe that wolves will promote a healthy environment by providing a check on deer and elk populations. Ranchers’ herds may also fall victim to wolves, but state funding would be allocated to help prevent such conflicts and to compensate owners for losses of livestock caused by gray wolves.

A majority of CO counties are listed on the opponents’ website as officially opposed to Prop 114.

Website for the Yes side – Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund
https://www.wolfactionfund.com/

Website for the No side – Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition
https://www.stopthewolf.org/


Approved Ballot Language

Proposition 114 (STATUTORY)

Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the restoration of gray wolves through their reintroduction on designated lands in Colorado located west of the continental divide, and, in connection therewith, requiring the Colorado parks and wildlife commission, after holding statewide hearings and using scientific data, to implement a plan to restore and manage gray wolves; prohibiting the commission from imposing any land, water, or resource use restrictions on private landowners to further the plan; and requiring the commission to fairly compensate owners for losses of livestock caused by gray wolves?

YES/FOR ____
NO/AGAINST ____

Proposition 114 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2019-2020/107Final.pdf