Legislation recently introduced in the Colorado legislature proposes to merge the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) with Colorado State Parks. The alleged reason is to make government more efficient. But make no mistake about it — this is all about politics.
Senate Bill 208 was passed on a 7-0 vote a couple of weeks back with hardly any discussion or debate. Several former DOW directors and a State Parks director, as well as the major conservation community in Colorado, all spoke against moving this bill. But with the clear-cut vote and number of co-sponsors, it is apparent that midnight deals had been struck.
For decades, the DOW has been recognized as the leader in wildlife and fishery management in the United States. This is the direct result of having top-notch professional employees dedicated to their lifelong work. Their efforts have made the DOW the envy of all other state wildlife and fish agencies.
Well over 70 years ago, America’s hunters and anglers worked diligently at the national level to pass a landmark piece of legislation called Pittman-Robertson (P-R), which enabled the individual states to receive revenue from the sale of certain outdoor products. The P-R bill was signed into law in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
It’s noteworthy to emphasize that these funds are not typical tax funds collected at the state level. It’s also significant to mention that hunting, fishing and bird watching are close to a $2 billion benefit that affects business up and down every main street in the state.
Many Coloradans are unaware that their tax dollars aren’t used to finance the DOW. What does finance Colorado’s wildlife and fish programs is the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. So, the user and supporter of these great programs provides for the revenue and enjoys the benefits.
In Colorado, the combined revenue received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2010 was close to $21 million. The sale of hunting and fishing licenses in Colorado approximates $74 million annually. There are some very specific requirements attached to the federal funds and they are intended to keep state legislators from dipping into them for other purposes (like building prisons on wildlife lands).
When the P-R law was passed, in order to receive the federal funds, each state legislature had to agree not to spend the funds on anything except wildlife and fish programs. The Colorado legislature agreed to do just that. It seems the current legislature is bent on undoing the long-held agreement.
When times are economically tough, it’s human nature for state legislators to look elsewhere for funds to pay for other programs. Such is the frequent case with State Parks. To use wildlife funds, however, creates a “diversion of funds.” To be found “in diversion” results in the loss of federal funds to assist managing wildlife and fish programs.
Prior to the 1970s, when Colorado had a joint Parks and Wildlife agency, properties were purchased that created a diversion. The two agencies were separated by legislative action in 1972.
There are a number of reasons why this bill should not pass. Where are the studies to illustrate the savings (if any), the efficiencies, the improved services, the cost to the users and services that will be lost, the land-use changes, and impact on the agencies’ personnel? There simply are no alternatives that show the pros and cons of such a marriage.
The proposed merger of these two state agencies should be placed on the back burner and eventually dropped from consideration. A rush to judgment will have dire ramifications to the future of Colorado’s magnificent wildlife and fish.
Just say “no” to SB 208.
John W. Mumma was director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife from 1995 to 2000. He lives near Durango.
