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U.S. Rep. Boebert asks Energy Sec. Wright to ‘stop land grab’ of 325K acres in Southeast Colorado
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State, thefencepost.com

U.S. Rep. Boebert asks Energy Sec. Wright to ‘stop land grab’ of 325K acres in Southeast Colorado

By Rachel Gabel | The Fence Post Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is the first member of the Colorado Congressional delegation to send a letter to newly minted Secretary of Energy — and fellow Coloradoan — Chris Wright asking Secretary Wright to recognize the lack of transparency and inability of landowners to provide comments about the department’s proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor or NIETC (Pronounced nit-see) designation. Boebert said the disregard for the public comment period is typical of the Biden administration and in this case, the public comment period ends Feb. 14, leaving little time for landowners to oppose to what she calls a massive land grab. Baca, Kiowa and Prowers counties combined contribute $504 million in ag sales annually, an important par...
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Ag, livestock groups ask British Columbia wildlife officials to reconsider
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State, thefencepost.com

Ag, livestock groups ask British Columbia wildlife officials to reconsider

By Rachel Gabel  | The Fence Post Twenty-six Colorado agriculture and livestock organizations have sent a letter to British Columbia wildlife officials asking them to reconsider a decision to allow the export of wolves to Colorado. Tim Ritschard, president of the Middle Park Stockgrowers, said other states and Native American Tribes within the United States have declined to allow Colorado to take wolves from their jurisdictions, and British Columbia should as well. Ritchard explained that in refusing Colorado’s request for its wolves, the Wind River Inter-Tribal Council cited growing public opposition to the wolf introduction program in Colorado and the extremely close vote that started the program. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation rescinded their agreement to p...
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Morgan County dairywoman Mary Kraft energizes dairy organization
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Local, thefencepost.com

Morgan County dairywoman Mary Kraft energizes dairy organization

By Amy G. Hadachek   | The Fence Post Fourth-generation dairy farmer Mary Kraft who built Quail Ridge Dairy from the ground up near Fort Morgan was just re-elected Dairy Management Inc. board vice chair, an organization overseeing their nationwide marketing plan. Kraft resides in rural northeast Colorado with her husband Chris, son Stratton and daughter Jordan. “While each state and region can make unique adaptations to the program, DMI’s template helps dairy farmers’ funds reach as far as possible by each area not re-creating the wheel,” Mary Kraft said. She was first elected DMI vice chair in November 2023. She is also board chair for DairyMAX conducting marketing and educating through the checkoff program funded by dairy farmers from Montana to Texas. DairyMAX works with programs ...
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Petition requests hiatus in $5M wolf release program
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State, thefencepost.com

Petition requests hiatus in $5M wolf release program

By Rachel Gabel | The Fence Post Middle Park Stockgrowers Association president Tim Ritschard is on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission agenda on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 11:10 a.m. with a request for citizen petition for rulemaking. The petition is signed by 26 of the state’s agriculture organizations, including Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Farm Bureau, Club 20, and Colorado Wool Growers Association as well as several local livestock and stockgrowers associations. The petition seeks to delay any further introductions of gray wolves into the state until Colorado’s wolf management program can adequately address the conflicts between wolves and livestock producers. CPW has announced its intention to introduce wolves this coming winter in the same northwest Colorado...
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The reaction of ag-related groups following the election of Donald Trump
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National, thefencepost.com

The reaction of ag-related groups following the election of Donald Trump

By Hagstrom Report  | The Fence Post Several agriculture-related groups today congratulated President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance and made comments about their priorities for the next administration. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall congratulated Trump and all the senators and House members elected. “Now that the American people have spoken, it’s time to put politics aside and begin the work of ensuring families nationwide can prosper,” Duvall said. “Among the most pressing issues in rural America is the need for a new, modernized farm bill. The two-year delay is unacceptable. The new administration must also address the impending tax hikes, which would crush many of America’s farmers and ranchers when stacked on top of inflation, high supply c...
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Twenty-four former CPW commissioners urge vote against Prop. 127’s lion hunting ban
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State, thefencepost.com

Twenty-four former CPW commissioners urge vote against Prop. 127’s lion hunting ban

By Rachel Gabel  | The Fence Post With ballots being marked across the country, 24 former Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioners are urging voters to reject a measure seeking to ban mountain lion and bobcat hunting in the state. The former commissioners, including Gov. Jared Polis appointees, represent decades of service to all stakeholders of CPW and said CPW is renowned for its science-based adaptive management practices to balance the needs of wildlife, ecosystems and communities. “Proposition 127 undermines science-based wildlife management and undercuts over 125 years of investment from CPW that has resulted in both the recovery of and sustainable populations of wildlife in Colorado,” they said. Former Commissioner Gaspar Perricone said he hopes voters will pause before ca...
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Billington & Koeppen: Hunting is an honored tradition that preserves heritage
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Commentary, State, thefencepost.com

Billington & Koeppen: Hunting is an honored tradition that preserves heritage

By Carly Billington and Christine Koeppen | The Fence Post Throughout history, hunting has served as a vital part of our nation’s heritage and culture. It embodies the rural community and lifestyle, with many hunters describing a deep connection to the land and reverence for wildlife. Each year, sportsmen invest significant time immersing themselves in nature to understand wildlife behavior, and actively participate in ongoing conservation efforts. Now this time-honored way of life is being threatened in Colorado by Proposition 127 — a proposed ban on hunting mountain lions, bobcats or lynx. Colorado rancher and hunting activist Christine Koeppen is aiming to break stereotypes and raise awareness on the hunting and fur pelt ban being proposed on the ballots in November, and why it’s ...
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‘We feel like we’ve been attacked’: Superior Farm employee speaks against ban headed to voters
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Local, thefencepost.com

‘We feel like we’ve been attacked’: Superior Farm employee speaks against ban headed to voters

By The Fence Post Isabel Bautista has been working at Superior Farms in Denver since Sept. 19, 2000. Her mother worked in the harvest department at the time and encouraged Bautista and her brother to join her at Superior. The two siblings began the same day. She was a single mom with a three-month-old baby in a new city and spoke only Spanish. Bautista said her intuition from day one was that Superior Farms was a good company. She stayed and worked on the cleaning crew on the harvest floor. She and her mother and one other woman were the only three females in the harvest department. Learning English as she worked there, she was promoted to quality control. “They always, always try to promote within the company,” she said. “They get to know the employees and if they have potential,...
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Denver Councilman Darrell Watson opposes Initiative 309 slaughterhouse ban
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Local, thefencepost.com

Denver Councilman Darrell Watson opposes Initiative 309 slaughterhouse ban

By Rachel Gabel  | The Fence Post Denver voters will be asked to cast a vote on Initiative 309, which would ban slaughterhouses in the City and County of Denver. A diverse group of stakeholders convened Wednesday on the steps of Denver City and County Building to oppose the ban. The question posed to voters: Shall the voters of the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance prohibiting slaughterhouses, and, in connection, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, prohibiting the construction, maintenance, or use of slaughterhouses within the city; and requiring the city to prioritize residents whose employment is affected by the ordinance in workforce training or employment assistance programs? While the question suggests multiple slaughterhouses, there is one operating in Denver, Superior Farms....
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Retired brand commissioner, Chris Whitney, honored for his service to industry
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State, thefencepost.com

Retired brand commissioner, Chris Whitney, honored for his service to industry

By Rachel Gabel   | The Fence Post Recently retired Colorado Brand Commissioner Chris Whitney was honored for his service to the state’s livestock industry by the Colorado Livestock Association at their recent meeting in Black Hawk. In a statement, CLA said Whitney has exemplified a profound understanding of the intricate balance between producers, sustainability, good business practices and animal stewardship. Whitney jokes that how he became the commissioner is a bit of a mystery to him. He grew up on the Walking Horse Ranch in Ridgway, Colo., a Western Slope Hereford operation but after graduation, found himself in Vietnam in the Air Force. “I’ve been so lucky in my life, it’s just disgusting,” he said. “When I was in college, I took undergraduate and graduate degrees in Russia...
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