WALDEN — Ranchers, hunters and state wildlife officials crammed into a Western Slope barn earlier this summer to discuss wolves, swatting mosquitoes as they introduced themselves and shared their experiences.
When it was Jeff Davis’ turn, the director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife girded himself for criticism over the controversial wolf reintroduction process. Standing just outside the barn’s doors, he acknowledged one of the most common complaints his agency hears these days: the deterioration of trust.
“I hear that our local people are amazing,” he said, but cynicism about Parks and Wildlife’s upper management is trickling down to his foot soldiers.
At the end of his introduction, a Grand County commissioner joked about hitting Davis with his walking stick. The room chuckled.
“If you’re gonna do it, like, don’t maim me,” Davis joked back.
