By more than a quarter million votes, Colorado voters decisively rejected a ballot initiative that sought to ban the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. (Note: lynx hunting is already illegal in the Lower 48.) Fifty-five percent of voters, including those in 59 of 64 Colorado counties, voted down Proposition 127. At last word, the unofficial tally was 1,397,105 against versus 1,117,368 in favor.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supplied more than $340,000 and repeatedly warned against the dangers of the ballot-box biology effort that would threaten public safety and frustrate proven, science-based wildlife management overseen by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) that led to one of the strongest and abundant mountain lion populations in the country.
Actively engaged with the issue for almost two years, RMEF met with coalition partners in Colorado over that entire time to discuss and carry out strategy and direction.
- In February 2022, RMEF provided testimony before the Colorado Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in opposition to a state legislator bill that looked to ban the hunting and trapping of mountain lions and bobcats. Hundreds of RMEF members rallied to successfully convince their legislators to defeat it by a 4-1 committee vote.
- In October 2023, proponents filed for a citizen initiative, eventually to become Proposition 127, to be placed on the 2024 ballot titled “Prohibit Trophy Hunting.” RMEF supported input before Colorado Legislative Council Staff that issued an eight-page memo highlighting problems with the proposal. State attorneys pointed out discrepancies in the description of “trophy hunting” and the proposed statutory definition, suggesting the petitioners drop the term “trophy” or specifically allow hunting to continue if hunters harvest the meat from lions (which was already and remains required under existing game laws). Council staff accepted that argument.
- In February 2024, RMEF distributed a CPW document highlighting the positive impact wildlife management and hunting have on building and maintaining mountain lion and bobcat populations.
- In February 2024, RMEF hosted a news conference before national attendees at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) in Las Vegas, again, issuing a warning about the ballot initiative effort.
- In October 2024, RMEF helped organize and addressed hundreds of supporters at a rally on the steps of the Capitol in Denver.
- In October 2024, RMEF distributed a nationwide news release highlighting the dangers of Proposition 127.
- In October 2024, President/CEO Kyle Weaver spelled out RMEF’s position against Proposition127 while appearing on a podcast hosted by Randy Newberg.
- RMEF sent several communications to its membership base asking Coloradans to get informed, engaged and help others become educated about the issue.
- As election day neared, opposition swelled as major newspapers, former CPW commissioners and employees, county commissions, former Colorado state leaders and scores of everyday citizens wrote letters to the editors or op-eds in opposition to Proposition 127.
On November 6, RMEF released this post-election statement:
“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) wants to thank our members, sponsors and supporters who contributed their time and financial resources to help defeat Proposition 127 in Colorado. RMEF has been engaged in this fight for more than a year and a half, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in a targeted campaign designed to tell the truth about Prop 127. Our members have invested thousands of volunteer hours educating the voters on the importance of science-based wildlife management and the dangers of ballot box biology. Thank you to the entire alliance that united to produce this victory for hunting and wildlife management.”
Kyle Weaver
RMEF President & CEO
(Photo credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)