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Project Coyote Applauds Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for Ending Unlimited Killing of “Furbearers”
Commission limits coyotes, bobcats, foxes, badgers, and other “furbearer” kills to two, highlighting the precautionary principle and lack of evidence for status quo policy
Denver, CO July 22, 2026 — Last week, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission voted to end the practice of allowing coyotes, bobcats, foxes, badgers, and other “furbearer” species to be killed in unlimited numbers.
Project Coyote commends the majority of Commissioners who recognized that as times change, so must wildlife management. As Colorado’s habitats and climate change, wildlife face growing challenges to their health and well-being. In adopting new limits, the Commission applied the precautionary principle, choosing to act on the side of caution for wildlife populations even amid data gaps, rather than defaulting to the unlimited-killing status quo.
Under the new policy, hunters and trappers will not be allowed to kill more than two animals of each species per day. Data shows this limit will have little impact on the vast majority of people who hunt or trap furbearers. Yet the new policy will reduce harm to wild families and local populations and allow many more animals to survive and carry out their vital ecological roles.
“We applaud this vote on furbearer limits, which reflects the majority opinion of Coloradans and safeguards wildlife that are essential to the state’s environment,” said Mark Surls, Colorado and Northern Rockies Coordinator, Project Coyote. “But it is just one part of ending the unnecessary killing of coyotes and many other wild animals.’
Project Coyote played a key role in achieving this significant change. The organization’s recently released report based on CPW’s own data demonstrated that the agency lacks sufficient evidence to support the longstanding, status quo policy of unlimited killing of all “furbearers.” The Commissioners referenced such information in their deliberations.
Project Coyote is disappointed that the Commission reversed a plan to develop rules restricting the commercial sale of fur, a financial incentive that fuels the widespread hunting and trapping of animals classified as furbearers. On this and other issues, Project Coyote will continue to work with partners, CPW Commissioners and staff to achieve stronger protections for Colorado’s wildlife.
“Project Coyote remains firmly committed to ensure that best science and ethics are considered in policy deliberations that affect Colorado’s wildlife. This is just the beginning in pressing these critical issues forward,” concluded Surls.
Project Coyote is a fiscally sponsored project of Earth Island Institute, a 501c3 nonprofit. Project Coyote’s mission is to promote compassionate conservation and coexistence between people and wildlife—particularly North America’s wild carnivores—through education, science, advocacy, and coalition building. Led by scientists, educators, and wildlife advocates, Project Coyote works to change policies and perceptions to protect wild carnivores and foster ethical, ecologically sound stewardship.
Learn more at www.projectcoyote.org.
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