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WILDLIFE COMMISSION THANKS GOV. RITTER - FishNews - 01-16-2011
DENVER, Colo. -- The Colorado Wildlife Commission marked the end of Gov. Bill Ritter's term by calling the Governor "the best friend Colorado sportsmen have had for many, many years" during an impromptu ceremony at the Commission's meeting Wednesday.
Ritter visited the Commissioners while en route to Colorado State University, where he will become director of CSU's Center for the New Energy Economy and senior scholar within the school of Global Environmental Sustainability.
"First and foremost, thank you for realizing the value of wildlife to Colorado's economy and for saying we're not going to sacrifice the one to benefit the other -- that the two work together," Commission Chairman Tim Glenn said. "We appreciate the opportunity you've given us to serve on the Commission and we appreciate -- truly -- the leadership you have shown throughout your term."
Glenn and Division of Wildlife Director Tom Remington presented Ritter a plaque featuring a replica wildlife officer badge at its center. Remington thanked the Governor for his support of the oil and gas rules, the development of Colorado's roadless rule, the reauthorization of the Habitat Stamp program and other accomplishments.
"You took on a lot of really big issues with little regard for the political consequences," said Remington. "You put wildlife at the table during energy development, which has allowed us to work with industry to protect 550 square miles of the West Slope, where energy development will go forward while wildlife values are protected. That is entirely due to your leadership."
Remington also thanked Ritter for his personal participation in several Division projects, such as pitching in during a massive winter feeding effort designed to save deer, elk and pronghorn trapped by deep snows in the Gunnison Basin in 2007 and 2008 and volunteering to fly-fish in the Arkansas River for a 2008 video promoting the Habitat Stamp.
"So it wasn't all work and no play," quipped Remington.
During his term, Ritter often spoke about the importance of Colorado's wildlife to the state's economy and its identity while he was at symposia and presentations in other states.
For his part, Ritter said he was obliged to give credit to those in his administration who helped secure these accomplishments.
"So much of this was the product of a very gifted group of people who understand like I do that wildlife is not just an important resource but a part of who we are," Ritter said. "What I'm proud of is that, as a commission, you had some big fights. But if you're not willing to get beat up in the short term, you're probably not going to get done things that look big in the long term."
Ritter also recalled braving freezing conditions in the Gunnison Basin during the winter feeding operation. "The sheer dedication of so many people under really adverse circumstances is just one example of the many things employees of the Division of Wildlife do for the citizens of this state every day."
The Colorado Wildlife Commission is an 11-member board appointed by the governor. The Wildlife Commission sets Division of Wildlife regulations and policies for hunting, fishing, watchable wildlife, nongame, threatened and endangered species. The Commission also oversees Division of Wildlife land purchases and property regulations.
More information about the Wildlife Commission, including meeting and workshop agendas, can be found at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.