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Commissioners ratify county letter opposing House Bill 26-1323 on beaver management
Summary
Rio Blanco commissioners ratified a letter sent to the state House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee opposing HB 26-1323, a proposed ban on taking beavers on public lands; staff reported the bill failed in committee by a roughly 10–3 margin.
Rio Blanco County commissioners on March 24 ratified a letter opposing House Bill 26-1323, legislation that would have prohibited taking beavers on public lands as part of a wildfire resiliency proposal. County staff briefed the board after the House committee voted the bill down by approximately 10–3.
Staff context: County staff (Ree) told the board the county’s letter urged a ‘‘no’’ vote on HB 26-1323 and emphasized that Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) should be allowed an opportunity to implement its beaver-management strategy before the legislature imposes a ban. Ree said committee members cited concerns about short-circuiting CPW’s process and that the committee vote reflected those concerns.
Why it matters: Commissioners framed the item as consistent with seeking science-based wildlife management and ensuring state agencies have authority to implement management strategies. The motion to ratify the county’s previously drafted letter passed by roll call.
What the board did not do: No new policy was adopted beyond ratifying the letter; the board did not attempt to pursue additional state-level action at the meeting.
