Colorado lawmakers are considering legislation that would protect the privacy of ranchers seeking compensation for livestock killed by wolves and other wild animals. The bill, Senate Bill 38, would make the names and contact information of ranchers confidential and not subject to the Colorado Open Records Act. This decision comes after multiple ranchers expressed concerns about harassment if their personal information was made public.
The bipartisan legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and is now headed to the full Senate with amendments. The bill aims to support ranchers who are legally entitled to compensation for livestock losses without having to sacrifice their privacy. Since the wolf reintroduction ballot initiative was approved by voters in 2020, ranchers have been eligible for compensation for livestock killed by wolves, similar to existing programs for other predators.
The debate around the wolf reintroduction program has garnered attention and controversy, leading to threats against ranchers and Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff. The bill seeks to protect the privacy of ranchers while still allowing for transparency about the location of depredations and the use of conflict mitigation strategies. While some organizations advocate for government transparency, they support the overall goal of the legislation to safeguard ranchers’ personal information.
The bill’s supporters argue that transparency is essential to prevent fraud and abuse while ensuring equitable decisions by government agencies. The legislation would formalize CPW’s existing practice of not releasing personal information related to compensation claims. Overall, the bill aims to provide a balance between protecting ranchers’ privacy and maintaining transparency in government programs.
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