Colorado Parks and Wildlife

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and roll call. A significant portion of the meeting involved executive session for confidential interviews of five candidates for the Director position, following prior stakeholder and employee panel reviews. The commission entered executive session to receive legal advice concerning the commission's role and appointment authority for the Director position, and to protect the confidentiality of the application process. Following the executive session, the commission voted to reopen the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Director position for one week, delegating authority to the Chair and Director to review new applicants alongside the five candidates already interviewed. Subsequently, the commission voted to move candidates A, D, and E forward for further consideration.

The meeting focused on introductions and updates regarding the Outdoor Equity Grant Program's funding and strategic implementation. A major discussion point was the positive development of securing $2 million for the grant pot, which included $1 million in agency funds and a matching $1 million secured through reserved funding from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOKO). Speakers also provided updates on the Colorado Outdoor Strategy, focusing on translating the strategy into actionable items such as improving data and tools for outdoor recreation planning, and collaborating with partners like GOKO on a five-year, $50 million grant program to implement the strategy. The importance of the Keep Colorado Wild Pass program as a funding source was also highlighted.

The Commission addressed several agenda items, primarily related to regulatory code updates and plan approvals. Key actions included the adoption of increased daily vehicle fees at specified state parks, changes to license fees and agent commission amounts in various chapters affecting nonresident mountain lion and bear licenses (with adjustments made to raise nonresident mountain lion licenses to the statutory cap), adoption of changes to fishing regulations (Chapter W-1), updates to turkey season dates and quotas, and the adoption of changes to commercial use regulations on division properties. Additionally, the Commission approved the Final Draft of the East Slope Mountain Lion Management Plan.

Key discussions during the hybrid meeting included the adoption of the July 2025 minutes. Actions were taken regarding regulations under Chapter W-1 - "Fishing" 2 CCR 406-1, specifically the denial of a petition proposing spearfishing in select bodies of water. The schedule for the 2026 Commission Meetings was accepted. Furthermore, the consent agenda was approved with one item removed, and a citizen petition requesting a prohibition on the use of live baitfish was denied.

The hybrid meeting included several key actions. The Commission addressed wolf damage claims, where one settlement offer for missing calves related to Claim 09-Y25-02B was approved for $100,045.57, while another claim (10-Y25-13) resulted in a motion to approve a partial payment of $97,667.29, including settlement for missing calves. Changes to Chapter P-3 regarding river outfitter licenses were adopted. The Commission approved funding recommendations for the 2025-2026 Snowmobile Program Grants and unanimously approved the consent agenda. Finally, several Commission officers were appointed to seats on the GOCO board and the Natural Areas Council.