Ten days after Coloradans decisively rejected a ballot initiative that sought to ban mountain lion hunting, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission unanimously adopted a new plan for managing lions that live on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation offered testimony during public meetings that led up to the vote.
“We have come a long way since 1965 when we decided to place mountain lions under the care of active management, as a big game species. At that time, lion populations were estimated to be under 200 in Colorado,” said Luke Wiedel, RMEF volunteer. “Through active, scientific management, CPW has grown lion populations to levels that surely would have been seen as an impossible accomplishment. Today, we have estimates that independent lions number as high as 4,400 animals.”
Colorado biologists historically managed mountain lions on smaller, localized scales – similar to the management of the state’s deer and elk. Current scientific research, however, shows managing mountain lions on a broader landscape scale is more appropriate and effective.
The commission voted 10-0 in favor of the 10-year plan, which will guide management decisions made by biologists and wildlife managers for maintaining a stable mountain lion population east of the Continental Divide (excluding North Park). The plan also addresses future research that will help CPW improve its understanding of lion populations and biology.
(Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)