Environmental advocates have pushed for Colorado’s parks and wildlife officials to prohibit the commercial sale of wildlife fur. On Monday, they submitted a citizen rulemaking petition aimed at prompting swift action on the matter.
Despite Colorado’s extensive conservation efforts, the state permits the sale of fur from all species classified as “fur bearers,” as noted by the Center for Biodiversity. The list includes beavers, ringtails, red foxes, pine martens, bobcats, and swift foxes, the latter being a species of particular concern in the area.
Samantha Miller, a senior carnivore activist at the Center for Biodiversity, remarked, “Auctioning a mountain of native animal fur is a relic of a time when iconic species like beavers and bison were pushed to the brink.” She emphasized the necessity for Colorado to adhere to the principles outlined in the North American model of wildlife conservation, which many agencies follow for managing and protecting wildlife.
A key principle of this model is the ban on the commercial sale of wildlife, a practice that has historically contributed to the decline and even extinction of significant species, according to the group.
The petition calls for ending the commercialization of wildlife fur but acknowledges the cultural importance of some items, allowing exceptions for hand-woven fishing flies made from incidental fur and traditional Western felt hats.
It also clarifies that the proposal would not affect sales in stores offering factory-made fur products, rather than those sourced from the wild.
“Our states need to modernize wildlife management to face today’s biodiversity crisis,” Miller stated.
The proposal suggests that adopting statewide regulations would help maintain consistency, avoiding a confusing “patchwork” of local laws that could complicate enforcement.
The document points out that the ban on commercial fur sales aligns with the prohibition on big game commercial hunting, where selling or purchasing big game is classified as a felony.
After receiving the petition, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is required to assess it and advise the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Committee on whether to approve or deny it.
Inquiries have been made to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for their comments on the issue.
