Colorado’s “Protect Wild Bison” bill heads to governor’s desk

DENVER – Colorado is one step away from providing long-overdue protections for wild bison in Colorado  with the passed of the “Protect Wild Bison” bill (SB25-053) through the Colorado legislature. The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

“Bison are hugely beneficial to Colorado’s grasslands and other ecosystems, as well as being awe-inspiring creatures and important culturally in the American west,” said Henry Stiles, advocate with Environment Colorado.  “This bill would extend legal protection to wild bison in Colorado, classifying them as big game species so they can be managed like elk and deer.”

This bill will finally classify wild bison as big game wildlife, aligning Colorado with neighboring states like Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. Under this new designation, it will become illegal to shoot wild bison that cross into Colorado from neighboring states without a proper permit, closing a loophole that has left these iconic animals vulnerable.

Wild bison are a species deeply symbolic of Colorado’s natural heritage, a keystone of its grasslands, the mascot of a major state university, and a cornerstone of Indigenous culture, have been classified only as livestock under state law. This outdated classification failed to recognize their vital ecological role and left them without adequate protection.

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