Rural Legislators Condemn Governor Polis’ Remarks on Ranchers
Denver, CO (December 10, 2024) – Representatives Winter, Soper, and Catlin, Rep-Elects, Suckla and Johnson, and Senators Pelton B, Pelton R, and Simpson stand united in rejecting Governor Polis’ unfounded blame on ranchers for the rising costs of the state’s wolf restoration program. As one of the top agricultural states, Colorado agriculture generates approximately $47 billion annually in economic activity. The Governor’s comments to Colorado Counties deflect responsibility for mismanagement and misrepresentation of costs onto hardworking ranchers, whose livelihoods are already at risk due to these policies.
“Governor Polis' remarks demonstrate a clear misunderstanding of the challenges faced by ranchers,” said Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter. “Colorado ranchers are vital to our communities and economy. Instead of vilifying them, the Governor should address the escalating costs of a program he has supported, despite its growing burden on taxpayers.”
Rep. Matt Soper emphasized, “The wolf restoration initiative was pushed forward with misleading cost estimates and has since ballooned into a multi-million-dollar program. Ranchers have already endured livestock losses and the threat of harassment, yet they remain committed to feeding Colorado. It is disgraceful to see them targeted for political scapegoating.”
Representative Marc Catlin added, “Colorado ranchers have repeatedly expressed concerns about this program’s impact, only to have those concerns dismissed. Suggesting that ranchers are to blame for the state's budget shortfall ignores their sacrifices and contributions to our state. We need leadership that respects rural Colorado, not one that passes blame.”
“The Governor has never been one to take accountability for his own missteps, so I am unfortunately not surprised he is blaming our state’s ranchers,” Senator Byron Pelton said. “Instead of passing around blame, Governor Polis needs to bring everyone to the table and work with ranchers to alleviate the undue burdens his policies have placed upon our state’s agriculture industry— that is how responsible leaders act and what the people of Colorado are expecting from us.”
“For many years, Colorado’s agricultural community has been disregarded in the policy-making process— the reintroduction of wolves in our state is just one of the many places where their concerns have fallen on deaf ears,” Senator Cleave Simpson said. “The responsible reintroduction of wolves necessitates collaboration and cooperation from all individuals involved and those who will be affected. Governor Polis must cease with this blame-game and work with ranchers to find responsible and cost-effective solutions.”
“Governor Polis’ remarks are a disservice to the hardworking ranchers who form the backbone of our rural communities and economy,” said Senator Rod Pelton. “Rather than casting blame, the Governor should focus on addressing the ever-growing division of the urban-rural divide and focus on the escalating costs of his wolf restoration program and working with ranchers to find real solutions. Leadership requires accountability, not deflection.”
The Republican Caucuses remain committed to holding the Governor accountable for managing taxpayer dollars responsibly and ensuring policies protect, rather than undermine, rural communities and industries. The wolf restoration program must be reassessed to address its true cost and long-term implications for the state’s budget and its ranching families.
