It's official: bison now have a new layer of protection in Colorado. Governor inked legislation yesterday that bars hunting of wild bison, classifying them as big game wildlife with SB25-053. Sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, the legislation guarantees protection for these animals, which wasn't the case before this law. Until now, wild bison that roamed into Colorado from adjacent states were vulnerable, but that is set to change.
Senator Danielson was clear about the bill's intention, "This new law will protect wild bison, which is a priority for the Native community as well as wildlife conservationists," according to Colorado Senate Democrats. She added that bison migration from states like Utah, where they are already safeguarded, into Colorado should not subject these creatures to poaching or any form of harm. Danielson emphasized, "It’s our responsibility to protect these animals that play a key role in our state’s culture, history, and environment."
The majority of bison found in Colorado are either domesticated livestock or reside in refuges. However, the concern has mounted over recent years as wild bison have been crossing into northwest Colorado from Utah. The enactment of SB25-053 follows similar legal measures already in place across several western states including Utah, Montana, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming to ensure bison are not hunted and can roam freely.
Senator Danielson's legislation was one among three bills that came out of the bipartisan American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee last year. Each one addressed the intertwined interests of wildlife conservation and native community rights, an indication of a growing legislative acknowledgment of the need for protecting the heritage and ecological balance of the state's natural wonders. With bison now receiving the respect they deserve through these legal protections, Colorado is contributing to a wider regional effort to safeguard the legacy of the American West.
