2020 Colorado Proposition 114

Colorado Proposition 114 (also the Reintroduction and Management of Gray Wolves Proposition, and formerly Initiative #107) was a ballot measure that was approved in Colorado in the November 2020 elections. It was a proposal to reintroduce the gray wolf back into the state. The proposition was passed with a narrow margin, making Colorado the first US state to pass legislation to reintroduce wildlife.^[2]

Proposition 114

Reintroduction and Management of Gray Wolves
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 1,590,299 50.91% No 1,533,313 49.09% Valid votes 3,123,612 94.89% Invalid or blank votes 168,049 5.11% Total votes 3,291,661 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 4,211,531 78.16%
County results Precinct results For   80–90%   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% Against   90–100%   80–90%   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% Other   Tie   No data
Source:Colorado Secretary of State[1]

Background and proposal

Gray wolves are native to North America,^[3] including Colorado and were once present across the state. Overhunting of common prey (especially elk) and an increase in livestock numbers forced them into conflict with ranchers.^[4][5] Wolves were hunted, trapped and poisoned into local extinction by the 1940s.^[6]

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission rejected a proposal to reintroduce the gray wolf in 2016, citing the potential impact on big game and livestock ranching in the state as well as the fact that the national gray wolf population elsewhere had already exceeded federal conservation goals.^[7] Resolutions by the Commission opposing reintroduction had also been passed in 1982 and 1989.^[8]

Proposition 114 was instigated through ballot initiative as Initiative #107. Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund claimed in December 2019 that they had gathered 211,000 signatures in support of Initiative #107.^[9] In January 2020 it was confirmed that the initiative had collected 139,333 valid signatures, above the 124,632 signatures needed to be included in the 2020 elections.^[10]

Proposition 114 directs the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to:^[11]

• Develop plans to begin to reintroduce and manage gray wolves in designated areas in Colorado west of the Continental Divide by December 31, 2023.
• Hold hearings across the state on scientific, economic and social considerations.
• Periodically update the plan using public input.
• Use state funds to help livestock owners adapt to prevent conflict with wolf populations, and to pay fair compensation for livestock losses to gray wolves.

Almost all the potential core wolf habitat is in the west of Colorado, in or to the west of the Southern Rocky Mountains,^[12] whereas the state's most populous areas are more to the east.^[13] The proposals were estimated to cost between $5 million and $6 million over six years.^[14]

Campaign

Support

The Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund led the campaign in support of Proposition 114.^[15][16]

It was argued that wolves would "restore Colorado's natural balance", and that reintroduction was needed to counter the effects of the gray wolf's protections under the Endangered Species Act being removed in October 2020.^[12][17] Mike Phillips, a wolf biologist, said that having gray wolves in Colorado again would "serve as the archstone" in connecting wolf populations to the north and south.^[18]

Endorsements

'Yes'

Individuals

• Dominique Jackson, member of the Colorado House of Representatives for District 42^[19]
• Leilani Munter, environmental activist and former racing driver
• Mike Phillips, member of the Montana Senate and wolf biologist^[20]

Newspapers

• Denver Post^[21]
• Boulder Weekly^[22]
• Colorado Springs Independent^[23]

Organisations

• Colorado Sierra Club^[24]
• In Defense of Animals^[25]
• Oceanic Preservation Society^[26]
• Our Revolution^[27]
• Working Families Party^[28]

Opposition

Stop The Wolf PAC led the campaign against Proposition 114.^[16]

It was argued that the proposition would have negative effects on ranchers like past propositions, such as one in the 1990s which banned hunting by trapping, snare or poison.^[29][30] Some opponents of the proposition argued that wolves should naturally repopulate the state rather than state agencies interfering.^[30]

By October 2020, 39 of Colorado's 64 counties adopted resolutions opposing the measure.^[31]

Endorsements

'No'

Individuals

• Bob Beauprez, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Colorado's 7th district (2003–2007)^[32]
• Ted Harvey, former member of the Colorado Senate (2007–2015) and the Colorado House of Representatives (2001–2006)^[31]
• Mark Hillman, former State Senator (1998–2005) and former Colorado State Treasurer (2005–2006)^[33]
• Ted Nugent, singer-songwriter^[34]

Newspapers

• Colorado Springs Gazette^[35]
• Fort Morgan Times^[36]
• Journal-Advocate^[37]
• Steamboat Pilot & Today^[38]
• Sentinel Colorado^[39]

Organisations

• Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation^[40]
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation^[41]
• Safari Club International^[42]

Neutral

Neutral

• League of Women Voters Colorado^[43]

Results

Statewide

Proposition 114^[1]

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	1,590,299	50.91
No	1,533,313	49.09
Valid votes	3,123,612	94.89
Invalid or blank votes	168,049	5.11
Total votes	3,291,661	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	4,211,531	78.16

By county

County[1][44]	Yes votes	No votes	Yes (%)	No (%)	Valid votes	Turnout (%)
Adams	117,002	107,937	52.01%	47.99%	224,939	75.58%
Alamosa	2,853	4,728	37.63%	62.37%	7,581	72.45%
Arapahoe	178,704	155,486	53.47%	46.53%	334,190	77.07%
Archuleta	3,119	5,638	35.62%	64.38%	8,757	76.82%
Baca	394	1,724	18.60%	81.40%	2,118	75.72%
Bent	743	1,457	33.77%	66.23%	2,200	68.73%
Boulder	132,607	62,955	67.81%	32.19%	195,562	81.68%
Broomfield	24,774	20,147	55.15%	44.85%	44,921	82.49%
Chaffee	5,861	7,439	44.07%	55.93%	13,300	81.29%
Cheyenne	221	891	19.87%	80.13%	1,112	80.25%
Clear Creek	3,162	3,226	49.50%	50.50%	6,388	76.93%
Conejos	1,064	3,079	25.68%	74.32%	4,143	79.07%
Costilla	922	1,004	47.87%	52.13%	1,926	70.69%
Crowley	540	1,156	31.84%	68.16%	1,696	74.93%
Custer	1,160	2,373	32.83%	67.17%	3,533	82.21%
Delta	4,668	14,194	24.75%	75.25%	18,862	81.95%
Denver	249,877	126,776	66.34%	33.66%	376,653	76.24%
Dolores	302	1,119	21.25%	78.75%	1,421	76.40%
Douglas	100,221	121,816	45.14%	54.86%	222,037	84.43%
Eagle	13,067	14,987	46.58%	53.42%	28,054	77.53%
El Paso	185,854	177,977	51.08%	48.92%	363,831	74.15%
Elbert	5,383	13,210	28.95%	71.05%	18,593	84.37%
Fremont	9,308	15,573	37.41%	62.59%	24,881	77.76%
Garfield	11,039	18,974	36.78%	63.22%	30,013	76.73%
Gilpin	1,965	2,167	47.56%	52.44%	4,132	74.96%
Grand	3,424	6,135	35.82%	64.18%	9,559	75.56%
Gunnison	4,676	6,201	42.99%	57.01%	10,877	78.15%
Hinsdale	174	439	28.38%	71.62%	613	80.71%
Huerfano	1,851	2,403	43.51%	56.49%	4,254	76.99%
Jackson	112	747	13.04%	86.96%	859	69.89%
Jefferson	185,173	177,016	51.13%	48.87%	362,189	83.01%
Kiowa	148	726	16.93%	83.07%	874	84.17%
Kit Carson	754	2,984	20.17%	79.83%	3,738	76.53%
La Plata	18,015	16,140	52.74%	47.26%	34,155	73.83%
Lake	1,767	2,063	46.14%	53.86%	3,830	67.75%
Larimer	111,344	104,020	51.70%	48.30%	215,364	80.73%
Las Animas	3,034	4,633	39.57%	60.43%	7,667	69.08%
Lincoln	549	2,024	21.34%	78.66%	2,573	77.65%
Logan	2,686	7,538	26.27%	73.73%	10,224	79.49%
Mesa	26,808	61,004	30.53%	69.47%	87,812	76.85%
Mineral	200	537	27.14%	72.86%	737	81.86%
Moffat	1,147	5,699	16.75%	83.25%	6,846	72.76%
Montezuma	5,529	9,492	36.81%	63.19%	15,021	73.45%
Montrose	5,730	18,414	23.73%	76.27%	24,144	80.65%
Morgan	3,990	9,331	29.95%	70.05%	13,321	75.71%
Otero	3,270	6,054	35.07%	64.93%	9,324	74.22%
Ouray	1,836	2,056	47.17%	52.83%	3,892	82.52%
Park	4,575	7,356	38.35%	61.65%	11,931	76.47%
Phillips	541	1,853	22.60%	77.40%	2,394	73.86%
Pitkin	6,976	4,330	61.70%	38.30%	11,306	79.48%
Prowers	1,473	3,891	27.46%	72.54%	5,364	72.66%
Pueblo	41,430	43,796	48.61%	51.39%	85,226	74.58%
Rio Blanco	439	3,164	12.18%	87.82%	3,603	77.89%
Rio Grande	1,838	4,306	29.92%	70.08%	6,144	74.39%
Routt	6,005	10,297	36.84%	63.16%	16,302	79.33%
Saguache	1,532	1,710	47.25%	52.75%	3,242	72.77%
San Juan	300	231	56.50%	43.50%	531	73.96%
San Miguel	3,140	1,774	63.90%	36.10%	4,914	77.88%
Sedgwick	357	1,027	25.79%	74.21%	1,384	76.81%
Summit	9,593	8,036	54.42%	45.58%	17,629	72.95%
Teller	6,871	9,592	41.74%	58.26%	16,463	77.56%
Washington	497	2,429	16.99%	83.01%	2,926	82.24%
Weld	66,806	93,915	41.57%	58.43%	160,721	77.62%
Yuma	899	3,917	18.67%	81.33%	4,816	81.32%

Aftermath

See also: Repopulation of wolves in Colorado

In the 2021 regular session of the Colorado Legislature, HB21-1037 was introduced by Representative Matt Soper and Senators Bob Rankin and Ray Scott. The bill sought to limit the areas where the wolves are reintroduced into, to those which voted for Proposition 114 and those which are not home to animals which are the prey of gray wolves and designated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to be threatened or endangered.^[45] A non-partisan analysis from legislative staff commented that the bill "would appear to rule out any reintroduction".^[46] The bill failed to progress from the Colorado House Energy and Environment Committee in February 2021.^[47]

The first phase of public involvement in reintroduction efforts was undertaken from July to August 2021, including a schedule of over 40 meetings and focus groups.^[48]

See also

• Politics portal
• Colorado portal

• List of Colorado ballot measures

References

1. "2020 Abstract of Votes Cast" (PDF). Colorado Secretary of State. p. 146. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
2. Miles Blumhardt (January 10, 2021). "As Colorado prepares to reintroduce wolves, here's how another predator was brought back". The Coloradoan. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
3. "Wolf Recovery in North America" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. January 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 20, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
4. "Colorado Wolves Informational Package" (PDF). Colorado State University. pp. 5–7. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
5. "Wolves". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
6. "Gray wolf pups spotted in Colorado for the first time since the 1940s". The Independent. Associated Press. June 9, 2021. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
7. "Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission Resolution 16-01 regarding introduction/re-introduction of wolves" (PDF). Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
8. Arthur Carhart (2017). Gulliford, Andrew; Wolf, Tom (eds.). The Last Stand of the Pack: Critical Edition. University Press of Colorado. p. 226. ISBN 978-1607326939.
9. Marianne Goodland (January 10, 2019). "Supporters of returning gray wolves to Colorado turn in 211,000 signatures for ballot measure". Colorado Politics. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
10. Sam Brasch (January 6, 2020). "It's Official: Wolves Are Headed To Colorado's 2020 Ballot". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
11. "Wolf Management". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
12. Douglas Main (November 5, 2020). "Gray wolves to be reintroduced to Colorado in unprecedented vote". National Geographic. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
13. Arthur Carhart (2017). Gulliford, Andrew; Wolf, Tom (eds.). The Last Stand of the Pack: Critical Edition. University Press of Colorado. p. 227. ISBN 978-1607326939.
14. Bruce Finley (November 5, 2020). "Voter approval of Colorado wolf reintroduction means "paws on the ground" by late 2023". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
15. Sam Moccia (October 26, 2020). "Ballot feature: Proposition 114". Rocky Mountain Collegian. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
16. Jason Blevins (September 24, 2020). "Proposition 114 explained: What's at stake with the effort to reintroduce gray wolves in Colorado". Colorado Sun. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
17. Christine Peterson (October 29, 2020). "Gray wolves taken off U.S. endangered species list in controversial move". National Geographic. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
18. Amanda Paulson (May 23, 2019). "Call of the wild: Should Colorado bring back the wolf?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
19. @Jackson4CO (October 20, 2020). "With 14 days left until Election Day, let's talk Proposition 114. Bringing back grey wolves will reset the order. This is #EnvironmentalJustice. Vote #YesOn114" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
20. Alicita Rodriguez (October 29, 2019). "Initiative 107 and the case for returning gray wolves to Colorado". UC Denver News. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
21. "Colorado Proposition 114 Endorsement: Yes on gray wolves reintroduction". Denver Post. September 11, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
22. "Vote Guide 2020". Boulder Weekly. October 8, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
23. "Election 2020 Indy Endorsement Cheat Sheet". Colorado Springs Independent. October 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
24. "2020 ENDORSED CANDIDATES". Colorado Sierra Club. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
25. "Colorado: Vote YES on Prop. 114 to Restore Endangered Gray Wolves". In Defense of Animals. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
26. @OP_Society (October 21, 2020). "As a keystone species, wolves play a crucial ecological role. They regulate populations of other species, helping maintain a balanced ecosystem which allows natural biodiversity to flourish.⁠ Help bring them home to Colorado. VOTE #YesOn114. #HowlYes⁠ Artwork: Creature Conserve" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
27. "Endorsements". Our Revolution. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
28. "Colorado Racial Justice Ballot Guide". Working Families Party. October 14, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
29. Craig A. Coolahan; Sandy Snider (1998). "Amendment 14-Colorado's Anti-Trapping Initiative, A History And Perspective on Impacts". Proceedings of the Eighteenth Vertebrate Pest Conference (38). University of Nebraska-Lincoln: 131. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
30. Miles Blumhardt (October 31, 2019). "Colorado wolf reintroduction stokes fears, passions of ranchers, ecologists, sportsmen". The Coloradoan. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
31. Jennifer Oldham (October 16, 2020). "Wolves are on the ballot in Colorado". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
32. Bob Beauprez (August 30, 2020). "Beauprez: No on Proposition 114; the case against forced wolf introduction". Complete Colorado. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
33. Mark Hillman (October 15, 2020). "OPINION: Mark Hillman's overview of Colorado ballot questions for 2020". Fort Morgan Times. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
34. Joey Bunch (October 19, 2020). "Ted Nugent urges Coloradans to oppose wolf reintroduction". Colorado Politics. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
35. "ENDORSEMENTS: The Gazette's 2020 election picks". Colorado Springs Gazette. October 11, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
36. "EDITORIAL: Our endorsements on the 11 2020 state ballot initiatives". Fort Morgan Times. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
37. "EDITORIAL: Our endorsements on the 11 2020 state ballot initiatives". Journal-Advocate. October 12, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
38. "Our View: Vote 'no' on Proposition 114, the plan to reintroduce wolves to Colorado". Steamboat Pilot & Today. September 30, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
39. "EDITORIAL: Colorado's Prop 114 is a political sheep in wolves' clothing — vote no". Sentinel Colorado. September 24, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
40. "Hunting Management Decisions Left to Voters in the West". Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. November 9, 2020. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
41. "RMEF Commits $300,000 to Defeat Colorado's Proposition 114". Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
42. @SafariClubIntl (November 3, 2020). "Vote NO on Prop 114. Forced wolf introduction will cost at least $6 million but the ballot includes no new funding to pay for wolves, forcing Coloradans to prioritize wolves instead of education, transportation, and existing conservation efforts. #VoteNO #Proposition114" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
43. "2020 Ballot Issues LWVCO Positions". League of Women Voters Colorado. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
44. "Proposition 114 (STATUTORY)". Colorado Election Results, 2020 General Election. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
45. "HB21-1037 Limit Designated Lands Gray Wolf Reintroduction". Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
46. Faith Miller (February 27, 2021). "Gray wolf reintroduction wasn't popular with Western Slope voters. Some lawmakers want guardrails". Colorado Newsline. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
47. "Roll Call: CO HB1037 – 2021 – Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
48. Keystone Policy Center (June 10, 2021). "Wolf Restoration & Management Plan Public Outreach & Advisory Group Facilitation" (PDF). Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved December 28, 2021.

External links

• Text of the Proposition