Ban on hunting mountain lions and other wild cats raises spirits in Colorado

A initiative that would ban the hunting and commercial trapping of mountain lions and other wild cats is set for a statewide vote in November.

The Colorado Secretary of State said Wednesday that the measure, backed by wildlife advocates, had collected more than enough signatures to qualify for the Nov. 5 election.

Donors submitted 187,147 signatures. Election officials determined that there were more valid signatures of registered voters than the required 124,238. The proposal, organized by a coalition called Cats Aren’t Trophies, would ban so-called trophy hunting.

The coalition includes nature reserves and rehabilitation centers. Members want to ban the hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. Exceptions include killing an animal to protect people and livestock, accidentally injuring a cat, actions by authorized conservationists, and scientific research activities.

“Colorado voters will have the opportunity to stop the inhumane and unnecessary killing of mountain lions and bobcats for their heads and beautiful fur coats,” wrote Samantha Miller, campaign manager for Cats Aren’t Trophies and Grand County resident , in an email.

Proponents of the ban say mountain lions are not killed for their meat, unlike deer, elk and other wildlife.

“While the measure puts an end to recreational trophy hunting and commercial fur trapping of feral cats, it allows for the lethal removal of any problem animal for the safety of people, pets or farm and ranch animals,” Miller added.

But opponents argue that state wildlife biologists are better equipped to manage mountain lion populations.

“We are disappointed to hear that the required signature level has been reached,” Suzanne O’Neill, executive director of the Colorado Wildlife Federation, said in an email. “This is another example of ballot box biology being presented to voters. The goal is to leverage Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s expertise and the agency’s extensive experience in applying science-based wildlife management to mountain lions and bobcats.”

Opponents of the proposed hunting ban made similar arguments about returning wolves to Colorado. The state’s voters in 2020 narrowly passed an initiative requiring the release of wolves in Colorado to bring back the animal that had been wiped out in the state as a result of hunting.