Our View

 

The Colorado Wildlife Federation is Colorado’s oldest and most effective wildlife conservation organization. We are advocates for our state’s wildlife.  Founded in 1953, our membership includes hunters, anglers and wildlife viewers who believe in the stewardship of a wildlife population that defines our state heritage and traditions.  CWF, through its board, members, volunteers and staff focus on ensuring that this natural bounty will be sustained for future generations of Coloradoans and visitors to the state to enjoy.  We serve as determined advocates for our state's wildlife and the winter ranges, migration corridors, reproduction areas and the waterways they depend upon to survive.

CWF issued a factual report earlier this year, "Northwest Colorado's Wildlife Habitat Today: Are We Losing Our Heritage?"   To access the report, download the pdf below under Our Stand.  Or, to order a copy of the report, call 303-987-0400 x1 or email cwfed@coloradowildlife.org

The unprecedented energy development that is changing our Rocky Mountain landscape threatens iconic native species such as mule deer, sage grouse and Colorado River cutthroat trout. These impacts have been documented by respected wildlife biologists, including CWF members. As Coloradans and Americans, we recognize the need for responsible energy development. Yet we also know that energy development need not, and must not, jeopardize our remarkable wildlife resource and the sustainable economy that depends upon healthy populations and habitats.   On December 11, 2008, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission adopted rules that provide minimum protections to wildlife in areas designated as "sensitive wildlife habitat."  In our view, they represent a reasonable compromise.  While the rules do not provide the level of protections for wildlife that we advocated, they do offer minimum protections.   See a summary of the wildlife provisions on this page under Our Stand [left below].   The Colorado General Assembly passed the rules review bill on March 25, 2009.  The bill was signed by the Governor on April 22.   The rules became effective April 1 on private land and May 1 on federal public lands in Colorado managed by the BLM and US Forest Service.  On May 17, 2010, Department of Interior Secretary Salazar announced onshore oil and gas leasing reforms on federal public lands.  CWF applauds this action as needed to ensure that cumulative impacts to key wildlife habitat are minimized -- by fully considering and addressing needs of wildlife in the balance.