In 2020 Colorado began ballot box wildlife management.  In a razor this margin (50.1%); a measure to introduce Gray Wolves to Colorado was supposedly approved by the voters.  I like to point out that Colorado is like the United States when it comes to voting.  2-3 large urban areas outvote the rest of the state.  And this measure once approved located these non-native species of wild dog to areas in which the majority of the yes votes will never have to live with or deal with the depredation these wolves will cause.  Since this was approved, the Governor or Colorado (Jared Polis) and his wildlife appointees have been rushing this introduction through without care or consideration intentionally avoiding the federal NEPA process.  Without going through the federal NEPA process, these wolves can only be released on state land and not any federal lands because federal lands are leased by livestock owners and must have a say in the release of the species.  What Polis and his appointees did was unconscionable as these wolves have already been encountered on federal lands.  Not only have they been encountered on federal lands, there are over two dozen confirmed livestock and pet attacks already.  Colorado cannot compensate these ranchers enough.  All they see is a cow or sheep dog.  But these livestock owners pay for these animals, raise them, build bonds with them and now must mourn them too.  Colorado currently has $581,000 in losses submitted to them by ranchers and producers.  But ranchers and producers will not be the only ones who suffer if this travesty is to continue.  Our Mule Deer, Elk and Moose numbers will be decimated as we have seen in other states.  There is good reason why three Republican led states refused to help Colorado introduce the Gray Wolf.  They have seen what the long term effects are on their wildlife and there economy.  Alaska recently reported that they will have to kill 100 wolves a year because the Moose population is hurting so bad.  

In conclusion; ballot box wildlife management should never be approved or even considered.   The long term effects of these animals will decimate the animals they prey on, which will include your house pets.  They will devastate our economy as less hunting opportunities are available because the herds have dwindled to near nothing.  And the cost of this program will only further drain our state budget as these wolves depredate livestock.  In the words of Garfield County Commissioner Mike Samson; "It will take a Herculean effort to reverse this ballot measure."  And that is what we need!  A herculean effort by every one of you.  Please sign this petition and pass it on to everyone you know who opposed this and still opposes this.  Help those who may not have the means to sign it.  Only together with our convictions firm and unbreakable can we stop this introduction of non-native Gray Wolves and save our states from future ballot box wildlife management.