Ballot Initiative 91 Would Ban Mountain Lion Hunting in Colorado

An initiative to ban mountain lion hunting in Colorado could be on the ballot this fall. (Photo by Evgeniyqw)

An anti-hunting campaign has submitted 180,000 signatures for a ballot initiative to prohibit the hunting of mountain lions, lynxes, and bobcats in Colorado. News.ballotpedia.org reports the campaign, Cats Aren’t Trophies, submitted the signatures on July 3, 2024. At least 124,238 signatures must be verified in order for the initiative, called Initiative 91, to make it onto the state’s ballot this fall.

Mountain lion hunting with hounds is an extremely popular tradition with many Colorado hunters, and it is already tightly regulated. Legal lion hunters are required to pass a mountain lion education exam before getting a permit, and to check in daily to ensure harvest quotas have not been met. Successful lion hunters are also required to harvest all edible meat from mountain lions and submit a tooth to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) for aging and inspection.

Initiative 91 would make lion hunting, as well as bobcat trapping, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Those convicted of violations would be prohibited from holding a wildlife license for five years. A person convicted twice would be prohibited from holding a wildlife license for life.

Exceptions, such as killing a mountain lion, bobcat, or lynx to defend human life, are included on the ballot initiative. Non-lethal methods to defend livestock, property, or motor vehicles are also allowed. Exceptions for accidents, veterinarians, and special licenses are also included.

The CPW Commission, which recently added two members with animal rights backgrounds, has not taken a stance on the ballot initiative and currently has this statement on its website: Colorado Parks and Wildlife takes no position for or against proposed initiatives such as Initiative 91 and will diligently implement all laws duly passed by the legislature and the Governor or by the voters.