Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Gibbs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis, and CPW Assistant Director Reid DeWalt appeared before the joint agriculture committees this week during the agency’s SMART Act hearing.
Sen. Dylan Roberts, a Democrat lawmaker who represents Senate District 8, including Jackson, Summit, and Grand Counties, asked why the wolves released came from packs with recent depredation. Davis pointed out, “sometimes people forget these are carnivores,” a comment that drew criticism from Rep. Richard Holtorf, R- Akron, who called the reminder laughable. He also said there is a difference between depredation and chronic depredation.
Roberts asked Davis in a letter earlier in the week to either release a proposed rule defining chronic depredation or offer an explanation as to why the agency is unable to define the term.