CCA Introduction

July 17, 2023

It isn’t a matter of “if” …

Colorado Conservation Alliance is an organization of private property landowners, ranchers, livestock producers, sportsmen and sportswomen, outfitters, with a mission to protect our outdoor heritage, wildlife habitats, businesses, natural resources affiliations, state and local economies through responsible science-based management.

After careful review of CPW Wolf Restoration and Management Plan (“Plan”) and public meetings comments, CCA has concluded that CPW position is to bypass Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. As a result, CCA will proceed with legal action to require CPW to complete a National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) review.  The requirement for NEPA by federal law is triggered “When there is a proposal for a major federal action that significantly affects the quality of human health and the environment” per CFR1508.  Releasing wolves as proposed by CPW Plan will trigger this requirement regardless of the release on private or state lands.

The NEPA requirement is historically documented as prepared by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and an example is, in 1995, the USFWS completed NEPA in the Northern States of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and Yellowstone National Park. 

Prior to releasing wolves, Colorado must follow the letter of law and request the USFWS prepare a full NEPA analysis, not just a NEPA 10j, which addresses all potential impacts. CPW plans to do wolf releases on private and state lands to avoid any further permitting from the USFWS under a 10a agreement which has different management standards. The 10j permit needs to be in place before any wolves are released.

The current CPW Plan and the USFWS draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 10j was reviewed by our staff and found to be wholly deficient.  On February 22^nd, 2023, CPW wildlife commission removed Phase 4, which eliminated any lethal means of take of wolves. The public needs to understand that there is no public trapping in this state. And now with no lethal means to protect livestock; this will result in a runaway wolf population, potentially exceeding 3000 to 4000 wolves will have major impacts upon the citizens of Colorado.

56 out of 64 Colorado County Commissions signed a resolution against forced wolf introduction which will have major impacts, but their prudence went unheeded in CPW’s Plan. The Southern and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes have sent letters to CPW opposing any release of wolves below I-70. The impacts of unmanaged wolves will major effects on the revenues and investments made in Colorado.

• Ranching and Farm agricultural industries create $47 billion in revenue to Colorado and employs 195,000 people.
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (“RMEF”) has invested over $200 million in Colorado to support wildlife conservation and habitat restoration.
• CPW Conservation Easements paid for by sportsman’s habitat stamp monies exceed $180 Million for wildlife conservation. 
• Recreational hunting generates over $100 Million of revenue annually to Colorado in license sales.
• Outfitting Industry generates $ 200 Million of revenue annually to Colorado.  

CCA has put together an experienced team of lawyers and biology experts to assist in our legal challenge and appeal efforts on behalf of Colorado Citizens. This legal fight is going to be expensive, so please help us by making a donation. We must win this fight to protect Colorado for future generation.

Thank You,

Colorado Conservation Alliance Board

It’s a matter of when!