Colorado ranchers have launched a last-ditch effort to block wolf reintroduction. Here’s how. – By Jason Blevins (Colorado Sun) / Dec 12, 2023
The Colorado Cattlemen’s and Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ associations filed a lawsuit in federal court against Colorado Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife to try to force federal analysis
Two ranching groups in Colorado are suing Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in federal court to block the release of wolves in western Colorado.
“There is just a point where you get down to ‘this is not right,’” said Ken Spann with the Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association, which joined the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association in the complaint filed late Monday in U.S. District Court in Denver. “This is not an objection to the voter mandate. This is about how CPW is proceeding vis-à-vis the livestock industry in the Western Slope.”
The complaint by the ranchers focuses on an agreement between the federal and state wildlife agencies as allowed under the Endangered Species Act. The ranchers argue the reintroduction of wolves should be reviewed under the National Environmental Policy Act and they are asking the federal court to block wolf releases until the complaint is reviewed. CPW is planning to begin releasing wolves from Oregon in the next couple weeks.
Representatives with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. Colorado Parks and Wildlife also declined to comment.
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