Colorado voters reject Prop 127, which would ban mountain lion hunting

COLORADO, USA — Colorado voters have rejected statewide ballot measure Proposition 127, the Associated Press projects.

Proposition 127 would ban the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. It was one of 14 statewide ballot issues Colorado voters had to decide on this year.

The initiative was backed by the animal rights group Cats Aren’t Trophies. It received strong backlash from hunting groups.

If the proposition had passed, state and federal officials would still be allowed to kill the animals for population management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife declined to take a stance on the issue. 

The latest Proposition 127 results:

Here was the language on the ballot: 

“Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning a prohibition on the hunting of mountain lions, lynx, and bobcats, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting the intentional killing, wounding, pursuing, entrapping, or discharging or releasing of a deadly weapon at a mountain lion, lynx, or bobcat; creating eight exceptions to this prohibition including for the protection of human life, property, and livestock; establishing a violation of this prohibition as a class 1 misdemeanor; and increasing fines and limiting wildlife license privileges for persons convicted of this crime?”

From August: Ban on mountain lion hunting in Colorado set to appear on November ballot

According to the Colorado Blue Book, a “yes” vote on Proposition 127 would make it illegal to hunt bobcats, lynx and mountain lions in Colorado. 

The Blue Book says a “no” vote would continue to allow the hunting of bobcats and mountain lions, as it is currently regulated by the state. Hunting lynx would remain illegal under state and federal law.

From October: Colorado voters speak on mountain lion hunting ban on Colorado’s 2024 ballot