Parks and Wildlife Commission to Meet in Lamar

DENVER – The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will finalize 2014 fishing regulations and consider increases in 2014 non-resident big game hunting license fees when the Commission meets in Lamar on Thursday, Nov. 14 and Friday, Nov. 15. Commissioners will also finalizes minor changes to turkey regulations for 2014 and consider citizen petitions requesting changes to falconry and rehabilitation regulations.

The Commission meeting will begin Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Rodeway Inn Cow Palace, 1301 North Main Street, Lamar. The Commission is scheduled to adjourn at noon on Friday. A full agenda is available online.

Most non-resident big game license fees are set in statute and adjusted annually according to the Denver-Boulder Consumer Price Index; however, the Commission will consider adjustments to previous policies that reduced the fees non-residents pay for cow elk licenses. In past years when elk populations were above statewide and herd management objectives, Commissioners lowered non-resident cow elk license fees to promote harvest and bring populations in line with management objectives. Having successfully achieved the biological management goal for elk populations, Commissioners will consider reducing the discount. In 2013, non-resident cow elk licenses were $350, compared to a non-resident bull elk license fee of $585.

During the Lamar meeting, Commissioners will receive informational updates on the process being developed for the five-year big game season structure review which will occur in 2014 and cover the 2015-2020 big game seasons. Commissioners will also finalize the agency’s “Path Forward” document, a strategic plan required by the legislation that merged Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Updates on agency finances and potential enhancements of hunter education in Colorado will be provided. On Friday morning, water managers from the Centennial Water and Sanitation District will give an informational presentation on the proposed Chatfield Reallocation and Mitigation Plan.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission sets regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks and wildlife programs. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. The commission is scheduled to travel to Pueblo in December.

Members of the public who are unable to attend Parks and Wildlife Commission meetings or workshops can listen to the proceedings online. To access the live audio feed during the meeting, click on the “listen to live audio” link at the bottom of the commission webpage.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, more than 300 state wildlife areas, all of Colorado’s wildlife, and a variety of outdoor recreation. For more information go to cpw.state.co.us.

For more news about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.