1 week Ago By Scott Miller
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The Eagle County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday passed a handful of resolutions regarding this fall’s ballot. State law prohibits local governments and elected officials from using public resources to lobby for or against ballot issues, but they can pass resolutions regarding those issues. So the commissioners took a few minutes to pass those resolutions.
One statewide issue the commissioners took on was a resolution opposing Proposition 127 , which would essentially ban hunting mountain lions, lynx and bobcats. The resolution from the three commissioners states that decisions regarding the hunting of those animals should be left to wildlife professionals, not voters. The resolution states that the ballot measure negates regional differences around the state regarding the management of those species.
“We need to support the professionals,” Commissioner Jeanne McQueeney said. She added that while ballot measure supporters “tug at our heartstrings,” wildlife professionals also care about wildlife. Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry said she’s heard support for opposition to the ballot measure.
Chandler-Henry noted that the reintroduction of wolves to the state hasn’t done any good for wildlife professionals, ranchers, or wolves. Commissioner Matt Scherr noted that while the dual mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife — managing wildlife for revenue and species preservation — may be a valid criticism, that criticism shouldn’t be addressed at the ballot box. The other statewide issue is Amendment K, a constitutional amendment adjusting election deadlines.
Eagle County Clerk and Recorder Regina O’Brien told the commissioners that her office currently has an “incredibly short timeline” to produce dozens of ballot styles in both English and Spanish. The amendment adds another week to that deadline. The amendment will make a “huge difference” for county clerks around the state, O’Brien said.
The commissioners’ other resolutions supported local ballot measures, including:.
