As a lifelong hunter and angler, and a wildlife biologist who worked for 23 years for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, I was honored to be appointed to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission in July 2023.

Some hunting and agriculture groups opposed my appointment as they didn’t think I had enough involvement with hunting groups, and because I advocated for wolf restoration in Colorado. Because of their opposition, some of which was generated by outright lies, I endured an offensive and rude interrogation by a Senate committee, and it became clear that I was not going to be confirmed. I resigned my position to avoid that political spectacle.

The hunters and anglers of Colorado lost a strong advocate by opposing my nomination, and I lost the opportunity to serve the people and wildlife of Colorado.

Attitudes toward wildlife are changing in the state, and CPW commissioners that have a deep understanding of the agency, hunting and angling, and those changing attitudes are exactly what’s needed to ensure a bright future for hunters and anglers.

I was one of those commissioners and would have been a champion for them. The outcome was unfortunate for hunters, anglers and Colorado’s wildlife.

Gary Skiba

Durango