Caraveo 1 of 4 Democrats in favor of removing gray wolf protections
DENVER (KDVR) — A bill to remove federal protections for gray wolves passed the U.S. House this week, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and passed with help from U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo.
The reintroduction of wolves in Colorado pushed Caraveo, the freshman Democrat who represents the 8th Congressional District, to support the measure.
Caraveo shared a statement on her decision with “Colorado Point of View.”
“In recent months, I’ve heard from farmers and ranchers across Colorado who’ve shared with me their concerns about the threat gray wolves pose to their livestock,” Caraveo said. “Agriculture and beef production are critical to Colorado’s economy, so cattle need to be kept out of harm’s way in order for that industry to carry on productively.”
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“Colorado Parks and Wildlife needs to take this threat to Coloradans’ livelihoods seriously and I will continue to share that message both at the federal and state levels,” Caraveo added.
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Caraveo was just one of four Democrats in the U.S. House who voted in favor of the measure, pushing the bill to the Senate. The White House has already said President Joe Biden opposes the idea, adding that Congress should not play a role in determining whether a species has recovered.
Critics in Colorado say the measure would not do anything to help the situation in the state. But because voters are the ones who decided to bring wolves back into Colorado, political analysts on “Colorado Point of View” addressed whether state lawmakers could step in and make changes.
“If it gets back to the states and there’s an opportunity, I think state lawmakers will do so,” Democratic analyst Andy Boian said.
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“I think they have to, given what’s been going on with livestock,” Republican analyst Michael Fields said. “There is a threat in these areas, and it’s clear that this is happening. So I do think the patrols, the other things, maybe more money for people that have this happen to them, et cetera — but it’s going to be a discussion constantly in Colorado.”
Watch the full conversation this week on “Colorado Point of View. It airs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and again at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on Colorado’s Very Own Channel 2.
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