Colorado ranchers and farmers are plenty pissed with Polis for vetoing legislation that would manage the impending wolf introduction with protections for livestock and dogs.
But now the buffet table is open and beef is what’s for dinner when the predators are turned loose in the tourist area high country, just in time for Christmas.
The bill would have given livestock owners the tools they needed to protect animals against attacks by designating the wolves as an experimental population, as opposed to an endangered species listing that humans are forbidden from harassing.
“By establishing clear guidelines for managing wolf populations, the bill would have ensured that our livestock and property are protected while preserving the ecological balance of our state,” Colorado Cattlemen’s Association President Philip Anderson said in a statement posted to their Facebook page.
“Unfortunately, Governor Polis’ choice to veto this bill will ultimately harm Colorado’s agriculture community and eliminate needed assurance for producers,” Anderson said.
The Colorado Farm Bureau also issued a statement rebuking the governor’s veto.
“The governor’s disregard for those living in western Colorado and his direct rebuke of the legislature’s will is not how we protect ranchers and their livestock nor is it how to ensure successful wolf reintroduction,” said Carlyle Currier, farm bureau president.
Gaslighting via his veto letter, Gov. Polis said the bill would have somehow impeded with the feds’ listing of the wolves as experimental, which is just total bunk.
Polis insinuated the bipartisan bill somehow dishonored the will of the voters, which we’re fairly sure was not to leave livestock and dogs defenseless against wolf attacks.
But if the feds don’t get the rule passed redesignating wolves before the predators are relocated to the state in December, there will be consequences, and Polis will be to blame.