Citizens Urge Colorado Parks and Wildlife to End Bobcat Trapping and Protect Prairie Dogs

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission convened on July 19, 2025, to address several pressing wildlife management issues, with public comments highlighting significant concerns regarding bobcat trapping, wolf compensation claims, and prairie dog protection.

The meeting began with public input, featuring Geralyn Benzard, a Colorado resident, who urged the Commission to end bobcat trapping in the state. Her appeal underscored the ongoing suffering of trapped animals and called for immediate action.

Following Benzard, Ellen Kessler expressed her outrage over the Commission's recent approval of nearly $200,000 in compensation payments to two ranchers for alleged livestock losses attributed to wolves. Kessler criticized the payments, stating that they exceeded legal entitlements and questioned the validity of the claims. She warned that such actions could undermine the wolf reintroduction program and lead to further demands for wolf culling, which she argued would disrupt ecological balance and perpetuate misinformation about wolves.

Valerie Hunter Goss from Fort Collins then addressed the Commission regarding prairie dogs, emphasizing their critical role as a keystone species in Colorado's ecosystem. She advocated for stronger protections and a more limited hunting season, citing the drastic decline in prairie dog populations due to various threats, including poisoning and habitat loss. Goss highlighted the importance of prairie dogs for the survival of endangered species like the black-footed ferret and stressed the need for conservation efforts to restore their colonies.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussions on these issues, as the Commission considers the implications of public feedback and the ongoing challenges in wildlife management. The urgency of these topics reflects a growing concern among citizens about the balance between agricultural interests and wildlife conservation in Colorado.