Teller County Commissioners challenge Governor’s CPW appointees

Rhea Jha
·2 min read
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(TELLER COUNTY, Colo.) — In a letter addressed to all state senators, Teller County commissioners urged lawmakers to vote against the latest appointees to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission, expressing their concerns over the future of hunting and fishing in the state.

“Hunting and fishing is part of our heritage here in Teller County,” said Teller County Commissioner Erik Stone.

In the letter, the commissioners emphasized that they are particularly alarmed by what they perceive as an anti-hunting agenda among the appointees. They argue that the governor did not consult with hunting organizations before making these appointments, leading to a lack of representation for hunters and anglers in rural Colorado.

Stone emphasized their stance, stating, “We certainly do not wish to disparage the governor, but we do want to protect the heritage of the state of Colorado. The appointments that are being made, we don’t believe reflect Colorado.”

Governor Jared Polis appointed three new members to the CPW Commission, including Jess Beaulieu from Denver and Jack Murphy from Aurora, who represent outdoor recreation and parks utilization. Gary Skiba from Durango was appointed as a representative of sportspersons.

The call to action from Teller County joined other rural counties and hunting, fishing, and outdoor organizations that also issued letters to the State Senate, citing concerns about qualifications and potential biases.

In one letter from a coalition of wildlife organizations, they stated, “The underlying issue is not just the individual backgrounds of these nominees, which, while impressive in certain areas, lack the comprehensive experience necessary for appropriate management of parks, wildlife, and outdoor recreation. The nominees’ lack of broad recreational management experience, demonstrated objections towards holistic science-based wildlife management and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.”

One appointee in particular, Gary Skiba, has drawn significant scrutiny from the Teller County Commissioners. Skiba’s appointment went against recommendations from outdoor and hunting organizations, raising doubts about his advocacy for hunters and anglers.

“If those hunting opportunities are reduced, then it’s going to have a significant negative economic impact on rural areas of the state or mountainous areas of the state,” Stone said.

While Skiba did not respond to FOX21, his biography on the CPW website says he worked as a wildlife biologist for the Colorado Division of Wildlife for more than 23 years with a focus on threatened and endangered species management.

The State Senate is slated to vote on these appointees this week. If approved, the terms of the CPW Commissioners expire on July 1, 2027.

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