Feature image photo credit: Colorado Wildlife Alliance

By: R. Brent Lyles, Executive Director, Mountain Lion Foundation

Few efforts have galvanized a statewide coalition of wildlife advocates more than Prop 127 did in Colorado last year. The ballot initiative, which sought to protect mountain lions, bobcats and lynx from trophy hunting and trapping in that state, brought together many dozens of organizations and hundreds of volunteers, united under the banner of Cats Aren’t Trophies, or CATs.

While Prop 127 missed its 51% target in November’s election by just six points, the many coalition volunteers and partners of the CATs campaign are continuing to fight for the protection of Colorado’s wild cats in 2025. This work is moving forward on several fronts.

First, some of the key players in the CATs campaign have joined together to launch the Colorado Wildlife Alliance. This new not-for-profit organization is focused on a core disconnect in wildlife management, namely that “Colorado’s wild animals are managed specifically for special interest groups, not for their own health or ecosystem benefits.” By creating a diverse and inclusive coalition of people across the state, this organization is working to build support for and ultimately effect change in how Colorado’s state agencies can act as stewards to the ecosystems of Colorado and the many plants and animals that inhabit them.

Another group of partners from the CATs campaign is focused on ending the sale of Colorado’s animal pelts to domestic and foreign markets (including black markets). A key goal of the CATs campaign and Prop 127 was to stop the widespread trapping of bobcats for their beautiful coats, and there is still very strong support for ending this cruel practice across the state. By cracking down on the sale of fur in Colorado, bobcats will gain meaningful and long-lasting protections.

Finally, many myths and misconceptions persist about Colorado’s mountain lions, despite a robust communications campaign as part of Prop 127. To address these harmful misunderstandings, a passionate group of leaders from the CATs campaign are rolling out plans for a statewide corps of volunteers who will make presentations at local college campuses and other venues, focused on mountain lions and their many benefits to Colorado’s healthy ecosystems. The group’s goal is to do at least 50 presentations in the next year.

And there’s more: A symposium on mountain lion science, a media campaign, and special events are all in the early planning stages. The Mountain Lion Foundation will continue to be a partner in these efforts and play an important role in Colorado’s advocacy moving forward, focused on education, regulatory protections, and peaceful coexistence. To learn more and to get involved, click on the links above to sign up for the mailing lists, and as always, keep an eye on your emails from the Mountain Lion Foundation for opportunities to volunteer and take action for Colorado’s majestic mountain lions!