Ballot Initiative to neutralize CPW and eliminate hunting/fishing in Colorado

[bayoublaster7527]

Doing some more digging, it seems like the main culprit behind all of these movements is Samantha Miller, a California native (or at least went to college there) and Grand Lake resident who has bounced around a number of non-profits who’s main objectives are to end hunting. She helped stopped the WA spring bear hunt in ‘23, was the campaign manager for Prop 127 in CO, and seems to be the founder or founding member of the new Colorado Wildlife Alliance. Go figure.

You nailed it. Samantha Miller was the executive director for Washington Wildlife First, where she helped end the spring bear hunt and fill the wildlife commission with anti-hunting activists. Causing the current dysfunction. Then she moved to Colorado to launch Prop 127. She was also serving as campaign manager for Animal Wellness Action/Center for Humane Economy, a national anti-hunting org ran out of DC by disgraced former Humane Society CEO Wayne Pacelle. They were the major donor funding Prop 127. Julie Marshall is the other major player, she also led CATS with Miller and was a paid employee of AWA/CHE and Pacelle. She is at most every CPW commission meeting, a Boulder journalist heavily involved in anti-hunting movement. The other major player is Mark Surls, photographer from the Denver/Boulder area. He was organizer for CATS and co-hosts Podcast “Wildlife Wire” with Miller. The strategy is clear, move into a decidedly blue state with a major urban population center, set up a state-level anti-hunting organization under the auspices of “wildlife protection”, and gather up all the people who hate hunters. Then flood the commission, legislature, and ballot box with anti-hunting petitions, proposals, and bills.

 

[CoMulies]

You nailed it. Samantha Miller was the executive director for Washington Wildlife First, where she helped end the spring bear hunt and fill the wildlife commission with anti-hunting activists. Causing the current dysfunction. Then she moved to Colorado to launch Prop 127. She was also serving as campaign manager for Animal Wellness Action/Center for Humane Economy, a national anti-hunting org ran out of DC by disgraced former Humane Society CEO Wayne Pacelle. They were the major donor funding Prop 127. Julie Marshall is the other major player, she also led CATS with Miller and was a paid employee of AWA/CHE and Pacelle. She is at most every CPW commission meeting, a Boulder journalist heavily involved in anti-hunting movement. The other major player is Mark Surls, photographer from the Denver/Boulder area. He was organizer for CATS and co-hosts Podcast “Wildlife Wire” with Miller. The strategy is clear, move into a decidedly blue state with a major urban population center, set up a state-level anti-hunting organization under the auspices of “wildlife protection”, and gather up all the people who hate hunters. Then flood the commission, legislature, and ballot box with anti-hunting petitions, proposals, and bills.

Absolutely insane to me that people make entire careers out of ruining things for people who just want to enjoy hunting and be left alone in the outdoors.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I feel like CO has as higher probability of loosing hunting then Cali does at this point. Sad

I was wondering about this the other day. Why did they back off their crusade in CA and are trying to go further in CO with their efforts? CA has takes some hard blows but they haven't eradicated hunting there.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

I was wondering about this the other day. Why did they back off their crusade in CA and are trying to go further in CO with their efforts? CA has takes some hard blows but they haven't eradicated hunting there.

That’s a great question. I think they believe the political environment favors them more in Colorado, particularly the Governor’s office with the First Gentlemen being a very vocal animal rights activist. The General Assembly not so much, but recent appointments to the CPW Commission also created some opportunity to push anti-hunting measures or “rewilding”. Some likely thought Prop 114: Wolf-reintroduction created momentum to push more aggressive action. That didn’t really pan out with Prop 127 though. Another factor has been the growth in anti-hunting NGOs in Colorado; CATS, Colorado Wildlife Alliance, Anti-Hunting Policy Center at CSU, etc.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

That’s a great question. I think they believe the political environment favors them more in Colorado, particularly the Governor’s office with the First Gentlemen being a very vocal animal rights activist. The General Assembly not so much, but recent appointments to the CPW Commission also created some opportunity to push anti-hunting measures or “rewilding”. Some likely thought Prop 114: Wolf-reintroduction created momentum to push more aggressive action. That didn’t really pan out with Prop 127 though. Another factor has been the growth in anti-hunting NGOs in Colorado; CATS, Colorado Wildlife Alliance, Anti-Hunting Policy Center at CSU, etc.

Man that's saying something if they moved focus from Cali to CO thinking they can get more traction than in Cali.