Mesa County Commissioners oppose Proposition 127, citing wildlife and local impact

At their Sept. 24 public hearing, the Board of Mesa County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution opposing Colorado Proposition 127, an initiative to prohibit hunting mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx.

Proposition 127 will be on the Colorado ballot for the Nov. 5, 2024, election as an initiated state statute. It challenges traditional wildlife management methods and aims to eliminate trophy hunting of these specific predators.

Proponents of the ballot measure believe it will contribute to wildlife conservation efforts. However, critics, including experienced wildlife management professionals, argue that regulated hunting is crucial in maintaining balanced ecosystems and reducing human-wildlife conflicts.

Sustainable hunting has been recognized as a vital tool for controlling predator populations for decades. This practice is backed by extensive scientific research. Hunting these apex predators is vital in maintaining sustainable populations and managing the predation of species such as deer, elk, and livestock. This is crucial for ecological balance and rural economies throughout Colorado, including in Mesa County.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) already employs a rigorous, science-based approach to wildlife management, including regulated hunting seasons and population quotas, to ensure ethical and sustainable practices.

"Ballot box biology, in which wildlife management decisions are made by popular vote rather than scientific consensus, undermines the expertise of wildlife professionals," said Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis. "It replaces evidence-based practices with emotional policy, leading to unintended and damaging ecological consequences."

"The prohibition would undermine the authority of wildlife management professionals, setting a dangerous precedent of substituting emotion-driven policies for science-based decision-making," added Davis.

Read the full resolution.