Summit County Citizens Voice

A fox in Breckenridge, Colorado. PHOTO BY DYLAN BERWYN.

Representation of different user groups at issue in debate over the composition of the new Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The merger between the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks resulted in the formation of a new advisory board to help set policy for the combined agency.  The composition of that panel has been at issue in a series of meetings and behind-the-scenes negotiations, as wildlife and conservation advocates want to ensure that the makeup of the new panel doesn’t dilute the core mission of the former wildlife agency.

The merger was proposed by Gov. Hickenlooper as a way of saving money in tight budget times. During the current session, the Colorado Legislature will consider a bill that will finalize the merger and the composition of the board.

The interim Parks and Wildlife Commission has completed a proposal for the exact makeup of the board, to be discussed Thursday (Feb. 2), 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in a public meeting that will will be accessible via videoconference at a number of locations around the state, including:

This proposal will provide a starting point for the public meeting and the legislative process.

•  Denver:  6060 Broadway, Bighorn Room (room capacity 50)
• Ft. Collins:   317 W. Prospect (room capacity – 50)
• Colorado Springs:  4255 Sinton Road (room capacity – 12)
• Durango:  415 Turner Drive
• Gunnison: 210 W. Spencer Avenue, Suite A
• Lamar: 2500 S. Main St. (room capacity – 12)
• Glenwood Springs:  50633 Hwys 6 & 24 (room capacity 12)
• Monte Vista:  0722 South Road 1 East (room capacity – 20)
• Montrose:  2300 South Townsend Ave. (room capacity – 20)
• Meeker:  73485 Hwy 64 (room capacity – 20)
• Salida:  7405 Hwy 50 (room capacity – 12)
• Grant Junction:  711 Independent Ave. (room capacity – 25)
• Clifton: 361 32 Rd (room capacity – 20)

The proposal:

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Environment, public lands, Summit County news, wildlife Tagged: | Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Parks and wildlife commission, Colorado State Parks, Environment