Riding a successful, collaborative effort that defeated a 2024 anti-hunting, anti-wildlife ballot initiative, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation policy representatives joined dozens of reps from other wildlife and hunting organizations for the annual meeting of the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project (CWCP).
“It is more imperative than ever before to shore up support with like-minded folks in line with RMEF’s mission and our advocacy efforts. We saw the effectiveness of that cooperation last November with the defeat of Proposition 127. We see it in the current Colorado legislative session and we’ll see more of the same going forward,” said RMEF Director of Government Affairs Ryan Bronson.
Gaspar Perricone, who represents RMEF at the capitol, is CWCP’s chair, with Dan Gates of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management serving as vice chair. The group meets weekly during the legislative session to coordinate the response of hunting and wildlife organizations to legislation and issues before the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. CWCP first formed in response to 2023 legislation that sought to ban lion and bobcat hunting and since stayed together to fight off other threats that continue to emerge in Colorado.
Following the CWCP meeting, RMEF staff and volunteers attended the annual Congressional Sportsmen Caucus Colorado Legislative Reception, a group that grew significantly in 2025 with 14 co-chairs and dozens of legislators from across the state. On this night, they enjoyed wild game at the historic Buckhorn Exchange (see top photo) in downtown Denver.
Left photo caption: RMEF volunteer Justin Nolan chats with caucus co-chair Representative Meghan Lukens (D-District 26)
Right photo caption: RMEF volunteer Luke Wiedel talks wildlife policy with State Senator Cleave Simpson (R-District 6)
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)