Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Resigns Amid Controversy

UPDATE: Jeff Davis, the director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), has resigned to avoid being fired, as confirmed by settlement documents obtained by The Denver Post. Davis agreed to step down on November 22, with his resignation taking effect on December 1. This urgent transition comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding the state’s wolf reintroduction program.

The settlement stipulates that Davis will be on paid leave from November 21 until his new position begins. He will now serve as a senior policy advisor to Dan Gibbs, the executive director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which oversees CPW. Davis’s new role will last until May 15, 2024, focusing on wildlife policy development.

Officials announced Davis had “stepped down” on November 25, just one day after signing the settlement agreement, which remains undisclosed regarding the reasons for his termination. The document does not detail any disputes between Davis and DNR, but it does include a clause preventing him from suing the state.

Davis was appointed as CPW’s director in April 2023, previously serving as director of conservation for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. In Colorado, he played a pivotal role in the controversial wolf reintroduction initiative, mandated by voters in 2020. The program has faced significant pushback from ranching groups and rural communities, despite the release of 25 wolves over the past two years.

Amid the announcement, Governor Jared Polis and Gibbs praised Davis’s contributions, stating, “We are delighted that Jeff is voluntarily choosing to stay with DNR in a new capacity.” They emphasized the importance of his expertise in wildlife management.

In his new position, Davis will focus on local, state, and federal policy while assisting senior leaders with high-priority projects related to biodiversity, tribal engagement, and climate resilience. The DNR has repurposed a position to accommodate his transition, underscoring the increased workload in addressing strategic priorities.

As the CPW seeks to fill the director role, Major General Laura Clellan will serve as interim director. Clellan previously led the Colorado National Guard and the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs before her retirement in October.

The developments surrounding Davis’s resignation highlight the ongoing challenges faced by wildlife management in Colorado, especially as public sentiment shifts around controversial programs.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.