Heated Debate Over Furbearer Hunting Prompts Increased Security At Colorado Wildlife Meeting

By Tracy Ross | The Colorado Sun

Tension over furbearer regulations has prompted increased security for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife commission meeting Wednesday, when commissioners will vote on petitions from opposing groups focused on hunting and trapping of animals for their fur, including fox, coyote, beaver, bobcat, pine marten and otters. 

CPW has encouraged attendees to arrive early to the meeting at the Double Tree Inn in Westminster where the agency will enforce the hotel’s ban on firearms and weapons by conducting security checks prior to entry. 

CPW is taking the extra precautions “given the hotel’s policy and the large number of expected attendees, along with detailed information about public testimony,” agency spokesperson Travis Duncan said. He said commissioners have received threatening calls and emails, and that the agency “develops venue-specific security plans for every PWC meeting.”  

The agenda for Wednesday includes changes to CPW’s beaver conservation and management strategy, which is to increase and sustain the prevalence of beaver and beaver-influenced wetlands in suitable habitats for Colorado’s stream and wetland ecosystems and wildlife, and its furbearer stakeholder process management and policy recommendations, regarding bag limits for recreational killing of furbearers and inspection requirements. 

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THE COLORADO SUN