CPW Votes to Begin Prairie Dog Rulemaking

A divided Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to begin rulemaking on a petition that would prohibit shooting prairie dogs on public lands, despite calls to gather more information first. Some sportsmen worry the process could limit public input as hunting season approaches.

The agenda listed the action to be taken at the meeting at Otero College as:

Division recommendation concerning potential regulatory changes related to the avocational take of prairie dogs on public land and related citizen petition.

The commission gathered to discuss was divided on implementing the rule making process now, versus waiting until the January meeting with action set for the March 2027 meeting.

After some heated discussion a vote was taken with the commission voting 6 (six) to 5 (five) in favor of beginning the rule making process for the petition immediately.

Other topics were tackled during the quarterly meeting.

You can watch the meeting on the topics, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryaKcW-1o7Y

time code is around 6:04

The meeting will wrap up today at Otero College, you can still tune in on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife's you tube channel to watch Thursday's meeting.

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