Notable figures endorse proposition to ban big-cat hunting in Colorado

DENVER (KDVR) — Several notable figures from Colorado and out-of-state have endorsed Proposition 127, which would ban trophy hunting of big cats like mountain lions, bobcats or lynx.

Some notable people who are in favor of the proposition include Academy Award-winning actor Robert Redford, international conservationist Jane Goodall and former Colorado politicians Tom Tancredo and Mark Udall, according to a press release from Cats Aren’t Trophies, a coalition behind the effort that includes multiple Colorado organizations.

These endorsements follow a similar one by Carole Baskin. Channel 2 was able to sit down with her for an exclusive interview about her thoughts on Prop 127.

Robert Redford, known for his roles in “The Sting” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” is experienced in playing a cowboy and rugged man on screen. Offscreen he has taken a softer stance and is advocating to preserve life for big cats in Colorado.

Redford has ties to colorful Colorado and attended the University of Colorado Boulder in his youth. He worked locally at The Sink on University Hill. His children also attended CU Boulder, so he knows what Colorado culture and wildlife are all about.

“Preserving the natural balance of Colorado’s wilderness means respecting all its inhabitants,” Redford said. “Mountain lions and bobcats are vital to the ecosystem, and their lives should not be reduced to trophies or pelts. Banning trophy hunting and fur trapping is not just about protecting these magnificent creatures, it’s about safeguarding the integrity of our natural world for future generations.”

The world-recognized Goodall has also taken an interest in Prop 127. With decades of advocating for the conservation of animals globally, Goodall’s word will come with weight.

“These magnificent animals are sentient beings and like us can feel happy, sad, nervous and fearful. This means they can suffer mentally as well as physically. They are not out there to be shot for trophies or to make money,” Goodall said.

Normally on opposite ends of the political spectrum, former Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo and former Democratic U.S. Rep. and U.S. Sen. Mark Udall agreed in their support of the proposition.

“Nor do I like the unsporting nature of shooting a lion or a bobcat out of a tree for a trophy or strangling a bobcat in a trap to take the fur and send it to China,” Tancredo said. “I far prefer that Colorado Parks and Wildlife handle wildlife management matters, but Coloradans have petitioned the Colorado Wildlife Commission and appealed to the General Assembly to enact these popular reforms and have been turned away. The ballot initiative should be used very sparingly, but this to me is a proper application of this constitutional option given that other channels of decision-making have been exhausted. I recommend my fellow Coloradans to join me in voting YES to combat cruelty to animals.”

Tancredo was joined in his sentiments by Udall.

“As a Coloradan, avid outdoorsman and someone who has a proven track record of working to protect our state’s magnificent healthy landscapes and wildlife within, I am pleased to support Prop 127. This measure conserves our ecologically valuable apex feline predators, by protecting both lions and bobcats from commercial trophy hunting. The sole purpose of such hunting is to sell the heads and fur of these remarkable and inspiring animals for selfish profit. There have been no legitimate reasons to continue the commercial killing of cats and lions for many decades. Now is the time to enshrine that undeniable truth into law.”

Prop 127 received approximately 188,000 signatures gathered by 900 volunteers to appear on the ballot in November.

Patt Dorsey is the director of conservation operations for the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Western division.

“We have really healthy wildlife populations because of all the hard work and all of the expertise and all of the stuff that has gone into wildlife management in the past,” she said. “And any change can potentially change the outcome for wildlife and conservation.”

CPW said they are staying neutral on the ballot initiative.

“Colorado state agencies, like Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources, are prohibited by Colorado law from having positions/opinions or using state resources in support of or against ballot initiatives,” CPW said in a statement. “Colorado Parks and Wildlife is neutral, which means we take no position for or against Proposition 91 and will diligently implement all laws duly passed by the legislature, the Governor, or Colorado voters.”

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