Colorado
We strive to advance protections for wildlife and all animals in Colorado
We are working to shift the anti-predator paradigm in Colorado
What We Do
Colorado, like most Western states, is stuck in the past, when predators were seen as kill-worthy, rather than intrinsically valuable.
We uniquely stand out. Mother Jones Magazine reports Colorado is ground zero in the national fight to protect our mountain lions, bears and wolves.
As a Western state with black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, recently restored wolves, and more, we should be celebrating our wealth of riches for having such intrinsically and ecologically valuable apex predators within our wildlands. Predators keep nature in balance and reduce spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, which is ravaging deer and elk herds as well as moose. Predators are essential as a remedy for damage to wildlands, and we should invest in them as a key solution to build resiliency in this climate era.
Instead, Trophy Hunting has outsized influence — as it has in most Western states — over state politics and even our own wildlife agencies that are supposed to be serving the 96% of the nearly 6 million citizens who do not ever wish to kill a predator. Anti-wildlife groups are pushing a narrative harkening back to past centuries where myths of monsters prevailed, where science was ignored and compassion was nonexistent. They wish the public to live in these dark ages, blind to science, respect and reason. They want us to believe that predators must be killed for a trophy on the wall. They are dead wrong.
Our State Director
Julie Marshall
In addition to serving as the Colorado state director, Julie is director of western wildlife and ecology for the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action. A Colorado native and veteran journalist, she worked as opinion editor, columnist, and features writer for the Boulder Daily Camera and as a reporter for the Orange County Register. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from CU Boulder and a bachelor’s in African literature from Brandeis University.
Julie played a lead role in launching and directing communications for Colorado’s 2024 ballot measure Prop 127 to protect mountain lions and bobcats from trophy hunting and commercial trapping. She continues this work as a founding member of the Cats Aren’t Trophies coalition.
Want to learn more or get involved with Animal Wellness Action in Colorado? Email JulieM@animalwellnessaction.org
Our work today involves but is not limited to:
- Drafting and passing legislation including ballot measures or wildlife agency policy petitions to promote the benefits of predators and devise policy steeped in best available science with compassion and respect for native predators. For the benefit of wildlife, wildlands and humans alike.
- Educating the public on the vast benefits of predators on the landscape in the climate era.
- Partnering with leading academics, scientists and welfare organizations to promote respect and understanding of predators as essential, with a need to invest in them for future generations.
- Testifying at bill and policy hearings about predators.
- Hosting webinars and events to promote the benefits and science of predators.
- Writing and publishing op-eds and letters in local media on predators.
Together, we can make Colorado a national leader in animal welfare. To do that, we need bold leadership, a clear agenda, and the resources to make it happen. With your support, we can drive meaningful progress for animals in a state known for its deep connection to nature and strong conservation values. Let’s build a more compassionate future for all animals in Colorado.
