A state Senate panel this week rejected two of Gov. Polis’s questionable nominees to lead the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, but the activists could still get confirmed to the posts in the full Senate.
It’s a small victory for outdoor recreationists, hunters, anglers, and all good people with a lick of common sense who don’t believe radical animals rights activists will represent their interests on the commission as the job entails.
Gary Skiba and Jessica Beaulieu were both passed over on a 4-3 vote by the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, so the nomination proceeds to the full Senate with a thumb’s down recommendation.
The panel gave a thumbs up to a third questionable appointment by Polis, that of John “Jack” Murphy, founder of Urban Wildlife Rescue.
All the nominees come from organizations that are more interested in politics than sound wildlife management.
Like Skiba, who authored the wolf reintroduction plan, and hails from the radical Defenders of Wildlife.
Beaulieu is a former fellow at the Center for Biological Diversity, another far left group that spends more time in court to restrict land use and energy development than on the ground helping actual wildlife.
PeakNation will recall the nominees have drawn fire from traditional westerners and ranchers like Rachel Gabel, assistant editor of The Fence Post Magazine, and a member of one of the state’s 12,000 cattle-raising families.
With a taste of what Coloradans can expect if Polis’s nominees are confirmed, Colorado Politics reports:
Skiba also was asked if he supports the North American Model of Wildlife, which requires decisions to be science-based, or if he supports decisions based on public support.
“I believe that there are situations when either is appropriate,” Skiba said. He later added he was trying to tread carefully, because “I do not feel that the commission regularly makes decisions based solely on science. We always make decisions that are influenced by social and economic concerns, as well.”
Loosely translated, he means wildlife decisions will be based on politics.
Lawmakers expressed concerns that the nominees weren’t qualified for the posts, and that their backgrounds didn’t fit the role to which Polis would see them fill.
All nominees admitted they had no connection to any of the groups they were supposed to represent on the commission, so, the lawmakers’ fears are well founded.
State Sen. Dylan Roberts from Summit County was the lone Democrat to side with Republicans and reject Polis’s two nominees.
Roberts said the wolf reintroduction has been a problem for his district.
“We need to have commissioners who are focused on protecting the interests that they are appointed to, whether it be sportspersons or active park engagement and park use. I do find some challenges in some of the appointees’ backgrounds, as well as their answers,” Robert said.
Colorado Politics has a thorough report of this week’s hearing. You can read the rest here.