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Lost Creek Guide
U.S. Wolf Population Deemed ‘Recovered’, Yet CO Ballot Measure Seeks Unnecessary and Expensive Introduction
ARVADA, Colo. - Forty-five years after gray wolves were initially listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Trump Administration and various conservation partners announced today the successful recovery of the species and its subsequent delisting from the ESA. At the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Secretary Department of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced that with the delisting, state and tribal wildlife management agencies will resume responsibility for the proper management and protection of gray wolves in states with gray wolf populations. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will continue to monitor the species for five years to ensure the continued prosperity of gray wolves in the U.S. USFWS came to its final determination based on the best scientific and commercial data available. This involved in-depth analysis of threats to the species, how they have been alleviated, as well as evidence of state’s and tribe’s continued commitment to the management of healthy wolf populations. Analysis of current and historical distribution of gray wolf populations indicated that the species has exceeded all goals for conservation recovery and is no longer threatened or endangered. Previously, states such as Wyoming, Idaho and Montana were delisted due to healthy and sustainable population growth that has thusly expanded into other states, most recently including Colorado (CO). The states of Washington, Oregon, California and Colorado have shown commitment to preserving wolves through development of management plans and protective laws. The state of CO currently faces Proposition 114, a ballot initiative seeking to introduce wolves into the state. This measure is being pushed by out of state activist groups and actively disregards the scientific date mentioned above, as well as goes against the recommendations of experts in Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Proposition 114 is problematic on a large scale due to the following: • COVID-19 impacts drastically damaged the state budget, management of wolf introduction adds to the state’s already stressed financial situation • CO supports treasured wildlife populations, such as moose herds and the endangered Greater Sage Grouse, wolves pose a direct threat to these species • Agriculture is a primary state economic driver, contributing billions of dollar to the state’s economy annually, as well as providing open space and wildlife habitat • CO is already home to a functioning pack of wolves, with a variety of sightings and evidence documented, as well as a visual sighting of puppies “Proposition 114 is a reckless and expensive assault on Colorado’s economy, wildlife and livestock production, and not to mention an already growing wolf population,” said CCA President Janie VanWinkle. “Colorado Parks and Wildlife has an efficient, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-recognized management plan in place, which is actively protecting wolves within the state. For the sake of Colorado’s treasured wildlife, and fragile economy, Coloradans need to vote no on Proposition 114.”
November 4, 2020
Meet the 4-H Family The Mazzotti’s
By Madison Richmann All three Mazzotti boys can agree that 4-H teaches you a lot of life skills. Alan, Carter, and Reece Mazzotti are three brothers who live near Hudson, Colorado and compete at both the SEWC and Weld County Fairs every summer. All three boys purchase their show pigs from TAG Genetics. Alan is 15, and is a sophomore at Weld Central Highschool. He has been a part of 4-H for 7 years and the Weld Central FFA Chapter for 2 years. Alan shows pigs and shoots shotgun in shooting sports. He has been showing pigs for 6 years, and competing in shooting sports for 7 years. Alan says, “I got Grand Champion at SEWC with my shooting sports project then a champion at Weld County Fair and went to state and took 3rd. I have made it to the state level in Shotgun 5 of my 7 years,” when asked about his greatest accomplishment in 4-H. This year, even though 2020 was a difficult year, Alan still had some great accomplishments. The 15 year old says, “My pigs’ names were Bullseye and Big Boy. I made the sale at SEWC.” Alan would like to continue with both 4-H and FFA as long as he can as long as continuing playing basketball, and this year will Reece Mazzotti getting ready to show his pig. be playing baseball. In the future, Alan would like to go to college to play basketball and then go into sports medicine. Carter is a 11 year old, 6th grader at Cardinal Community Academy. Carter is a part of 4-H and shows pigs and shoots shotgun in shooting sports as well. Carter has been doing both projects for three years. Carter explains this year’s projects by saying, “My pigs’ names were Covid and Buddy and I made the sale at both Weld County fair and SEWCF. We keep our pigs in our pig barn and this was my little brother Reece’s first year showing.” Carter says that his biggest accomplishment is making it to state in the shooting sports, skeet , this year, along with any other year that he made sale with his pigs. Like his older brother Alan, Carter enjoys playing basketball and baseball and also likes hunting and fishing. Carter Carter Mazzotti at the Weld County Fair Junior Livestock would like to continue in 4-H Sale with his Market Swine. and eventually go to college and play basketball or work on the families farm. The 6th graders say that 4-H has taught him how to be a good citizen. Reece, the youngest Mazzotti boy is a 9 year old third grader that also goes to Cardinal Community Academy. 2020 was the first year in 4-H for Reece. Like his older brothers, Reece shows Market Swine, and he also does leathercraft in 4-H. Reece enjoys playing basketball, baseball, and hunting and fishing when not working with his projects for the fair. Reece is proud to say that he made the sale at the SEWC fair with his pig, being a huge accomplishment for his first year. Like Alan and Carter, Reece would like to continue in 4-H and Alan Mazzotti showing his pig at the SEWC fair. one day go to college to play basketball. Reece says his favorite part of the SEWC fair is that it is small where he knows nearly everyone, and the rodeo. The 9 year old also says, “My favorite part of 4-H is all of the different projects.” We wish good luck to the Mazzotti boys on the rest of their 4-H career.
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