The Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, will be nominating three members to serve on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.  The 11 member composition of the commission is statutorily required to be diverse: 

• three must represent sportsmen, one of which must be an outfitter
• three must be agricultural producers 
• three are to be recreationalists (including non-profit, non-consumptive wildlife organization)
• two are at-large selected by the governor

Of great concern are the proposed commissioners by the governor who clearly do not support sportsmen issues.  Those that the governor has nominated:

1. Gabriel Otero:  He has been appointed to represent the interests of sportsmen and as a member west of the Divide.  However, Mr. Otero has had minimal to no contact with sportsmen organizations and has not met with them when requested.  Many times he has seemed unprepared when discussing tag allocations and season setting, giving no comment on the issues.  Since his appointment in July of 2022, he has only attended three commission meetings and only once in person.  As a representative of sportsmen interests this performance is greatly troubling.
2. Richard Reading:  Mr. Reading has been appointed as an “at-large” commissioner.  There is a clear conflict of interest, as it appears the governor is appointing his close-knit peers and ignoring the required composition of the commission.  Mr. Reading is a member of the Prairie Dog Coalition, Rocky Mountain Wild, and Idea Wild. These are non-consumptive organizations and of similar circles of commissioner, James Tuchton.  Richard Reading is a close peer of  Mr. Tuchton and a supporter of his former employer, Wildearth Guardians.  Mr. Reading’s wife also sits on the Parks and Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee.  He has only attended one meeting (maybe two) since being appointed in July of 2022. 

In his words: “I support WildEarth Guardians because they are a lean, effective organization dedicated to defending the natural world. The challenges and threats to conservation have never been greater. As a conservation biologist, I see these threats firsthand and know only too well how much we need an organization willing to advocate, defend, and fight for our planet.”

3.   Eden Vardy:  Commissioner Vardy has served well on the commission and will continue to be of great benefit to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.  He should be confirmed and remain as a commissioner. 

As sportsmen and women we must continue to be vigilant about the management of natural resources and the commissioners selected to the commission.  The governor needs to hear that we are not idly watching the process, but are deeply involved.  We want to ensure that our current right to hunt and fish in Colorado and wildlife and wild places are protected.  Commissioners with personal agendas and close ties to the governor do not best represent sportsmen interests or put the priorities of the natural resource first. 

Currently, the confirmation of these commissioners is at the Senate Agriculture Committee.  If the vote to confirm is unanimous then no further action will be taken.  However, if there is a vote of dissension, it will go to the whole senate for further discussion and a vote. 

READ:  The Biographies of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioners

CONTACT:  The Colorado Senate Ag & Natural Resource Committee

 Your voice needs to be heard.  They need to hear that sportsmen and women need to be considered before voting to confirm Mr. Reading and Mr. Otero.