Colorado wildlife officials recently ruled against the release of gray and Mexican wolves in the state. (Associated Press file)
Re: Colorado cannot afford release of wolves, Jan. 24 guest commentary.
Intangibles of whole and functioning ecosystems and wildness in Colorado are legacies for future generations that cannot be easily quantified into dollars. Nate Gilbert s opinion that Colorado cannot afford wolves reduces Colorado s rich natural heritage to a few selected industries and commodities, where only the market value is considered and not greater quality of life that is so valued by our citizens.
Restoring missing pieces of wildlife such as the wolf greatly enhances a natural, functioning ecosystem (that includes man). Gilbert s laundry list of wildlife species doing well is not an excuse for passing up an opportunity to make natural diversity and processes even better.
This is not a zero-sum game where there can be only be ranching and hunting or wolves. I urge the legislature to consider both economic and intangible benefits of restoring wolves. Colorado can t afford to let its wildness erode — it s our soul.
Suzanne Stutzman, Golden
This letter was published in the Jan. 31 edition.
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