DENVER House Republicans on Wednesday bucked a recommendation from the Parks and Wildlife Commission about how the board should be organized.
Democrats opposed the GOP plan in House Bill 1317, saying it gives too small a voice to people who enjoy the outdoors for scenery and hiking, rather than hunting.
The Legislature merged the divisions of wildlife and state parks last year, combining the two boards that governed the agencies. The newly combined board had one year to recommend a permanent structure for itself.
It has proved to be a controversial task, as hunters, anglers, outdoor sports businesses and trail users all jockeyed for representation on the board that will oversee some of the states most pristine spots.
The current Parks and Wildlife Commission gave the Legislature recommendations for how the future commission should look, but Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, said members of the public have told him they want something different.
Sonnenbergs plan would give greater representation to hunters, farmers and ranchers, and state parks users, at the expense of county governments and at-large appointments by the governor.
Sonnenberg said the former State Parks division nearly went bankrupt under its old commission, and the former Division of Wildlife committed a $32 million accounting error under its old board. The same board members are serving on the current, combined panel that sent recommendations to the Legislature.
They had a biased view, quite frankly. They were trying to protect their jobs. They were trying to remain on the commission, and I dont blame them, Sonnenberg said.
Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, defended the commission.
They serve the public as volunteers, Fischer said.
Fischer tried to get the House Agriculture Committee to accept the Parks and Wildlife Commissions plan, but he failed on a 5-8 vote Wednesday, with one Democrat and all Republicans favoring Sonnenbergs idea.
Locally, Rep. J. Paul Brown, R-Ignacio, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Cortez, voted with Sonnenberg.
HB 1317 now goes to the House Appropriations Committee.
Sonnenberg serves as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. But his Senate sponsor, Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, will get a chance to put her stamp on the bill later this spring. Schwartz chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee.
