Branded Blog

Putting The American People Ahead of Violent Predators
By Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03)

The devastation farmers and ranchers face due to wolf attacks is unthinkable. The filtered images circulated through the media of innocent wolf pups does not paint the entire picture—the reality is, wolf attacks are gruesome. The countless letters I have received from families, farmers, and ranchers across Colorado tell a story of an escalating problem that must be addressed. Providing a voice for my constituents who have nowhere else to turn and pushing back against radical environmentalists is imperative. During a recent hearing before the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, the stories of Coloradans facing this issue rang loudly.

Donna Sykes has lived in Walden, Colorado for 28 years. Recently, two wolves killed her border collie “Cisco.” The next day, they injured her neighbor’s dog. While he survived the initial attack, his injuries were too severe and ultimately, he had to be put down. But thanks to the protections lawmakers have enacted for wolves, she and her neighbors cannot defend their livestock and pets. Ms. Sykes’ story echoes that of hundreds of other Coloradans who are too afraid to speak up but have to endure this pain every day, nonetheless.

Radical environmentalists and leftists in Washington, D.C., and across the country dictating how rural America manages its wolves is not only out-of-touch, but shameful. And that changes now. My legislation, the Trust the Science Act, is a bill to delist grey wolves from the Endangered Species List. My bill follows the advice of experts who have found that the grey wolf is fully recovered, and it will get the federal bureaucracy out of the way and restore some power to local communities. And recently, it received a subcommittee hearing, meaning it’s on its way to the House floor.

While my bill will not solve this issue entirely due to various state laws, I will continue supporting policies like managing an experimental population under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act which allows for lethal removal of problem wolves. Additionally, I support a provision to ensure full compensation for livestock producers whose animals are killed by these wolves. This is further progress and demonstrates my strong support for our ranchers and private landowners. Finally, a National Environmental Policy Act analysis should be done prior to any wolves being introduced to a portion of land. This would ensure we are taking the time to understand the consequences and can consider the alternatives prior to these predators being released.

As a proud member of the Congressional Western Caucus, a group of over 100 lawmakers on Capitol Hill who advocate for farmers and ranchers and work to ensure their stories are heard, I will stand against the heavy hand of the federal bureaucracy attempting to manipulate the Endangered Species Act to pander to the most extreme environmentalist and leftist voices. The science is clear, the grey wolf is fully recovered. For too long, activist judges and these radical environmentalists have weaponized the Endangered Species Act to lock up our land and regulate private property rights. I will work to put people ahead of violent predators, because farmers and ranchers have been left powerless to defend their livestock for too long.