Huntin_GI
WKR
I posted this on CNELK's BGSS changes thread but thought this specific proposal deserved its thread considering the scope of its impacts.
In March 2024, CPW recommended to the Commission that both NR and R's archery elk move into a fully limited draw. This position was the least popular over multiple surveys, workgroups, testimony, etc. yet CPW felt it the "best" alternative. This is after multiple years of study and discussion.
Yesterday, they officially announced a reversal, and the new recommendations to the Commission was "to limit OTC archery licenses for nonresidents only, and to maintain OTC archery licenses for residents."
This is huge for the Colorado resident archery hunters.
I firmly believe this reversal came from pressure applied through the Colorado Resident Hunters Association page on FB. That page has been instrumental in getting resident sportsmen involved and vocal with the commission, CPW leadership, and the state legislature. Specifically, Brandon Siegfried put so much time and effort into keeping CPW honest that it could be a full-time job.
On regular occasions, CPW would present misleading data to the Commission as to advance positions that would result in either a status quo, or total limitation, both of which helped protect CPW's revenue stream. Brandon would address those misrepresentations, while addressing the Commission and ensure the correct data would be pushed out to both the commission and then shared that updated information through the page.
That revenue stream was the primary concern of CPW proposals at every turn. Brandon would present data while highlighting public trust doctrine, conflicts of interest on the commission, and how that revenue stream wasn't CPW's primary mandate. He was key in helping organize messaging so public comments contained a consistent theme touching each of the aforementioned topics.
CPW's original recommendation was the least popular as identified by the surveys, workgroups, and public outreach over the last 3 years. It was even highlighted in every presentation to the commission that the CPW PREFERRED RECOMMENDATION had the least amount of support at every turn.
While this reversal of position and new preferred alternative aren't set in stone, this is a step in the right direction. The commission is still in the process of codifying these proposals which will require a vote in the coming weeks. If you are a resident sportsmen in Colorado, I highly recommend you reaching out to the commission and voice your position as that could be what is required to get this across the finish line.
In March 2024, CPW recommended to the Commission that both NR and R's archery elk move into a fully limited draw. This position was the least popular over multiple surveys, workgroups, testimony, etc. yet CPW felt it the "best" alternative. This is after multiple years of study and discussion.
Yesterday, they officially announced a reversal, and the new recommendations to the Commission was "to limit OTC archery licenses for nonresidents only, and to maintain OTC archery licenses for residents."
This is huge for the Colorado resident archery hunters.
I firmly believe this reversal came from pressure applied through the Colorado Resident Hunters Association page on FB. That page has been instrumental in getting resident sportsmen involved and vocal with the commission, CPW leadership, and the state legislature. Specifically, Brandon Siegfried put so much time and effort into keeping CPW honest that it could be a full-time job.
On regular occasions, CPW would present misleading data to the Commission as to advance positions that would result in either a status quo, or total limitation, both of which helped protect CPW's revenue stream. Brandon would address those misrepresentations, while addressing the Commission and ensure the correct data would be pushed out to both the commission and then shared that updated information through the page.
That revenue stream was the primary concern of CPW proposals at every turn. Brandon would present data while highlighting public trust doctrine, conflicts of interest on the commission, and how that revenue stream wasn't CPW's primary mandate. He was key in helping organize messaging so public comments contained a consistent theme touching each of the aforementioned topics.
CPW's original recommendation was the least popular as identified by the surveys, workgroups, and public outreach over the last 3 years. It was even highlighted in every presentation to the commission that the CPW PREFERRED RECOMMENDATION had the least amount of support at every turn.
While this reversal of position and new preferred alternative aren't set in stone, this is a step in the right direction. The commission is still in the process of codifying these proposals which will require a vote in the coming weeks. If you are a resident sportsmen in Colorado, I highly recommend you reaching out to the commission and voice your position as that could be what is required to get this across the finish line.
