§ 33-1-101 — Legislative declaration

(1) It is the policy of the state of Colorado
that the wildlife and their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced,
and managed for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this state and its
visitors. It is further declared to be the policy of this state that there shall be
provided a comprehensive program designed to offer the greatest possible variety
of wildlife-related recreational opportunity to the people of this state and its
visitors and that, to carry out such program and policy, there shall be a continuous
operation of planning, acquisition, and development of wildlife habitats and
facilities for wildlife-related opportunities.

(2) All wildlife within this state not lawfully acquired and held by private
ownership is declared to be the property of this state. Right, title, interest,
acquisition, transfer, sale, importation, exportation, release, donation, or possession
of wildlife is permitted only as provided in articles 1 to 6 of this title or in any rule of
the parks and wildlife commission.

(3) In order to foster the welfare of the inhabitants of the state of Colorado,
it is further declared to be the policy of this state to protect and encourage full
development of absolute and conditional water rights created under state law and
to develop and maximize the beneficial use of the waters to which Colorado and its
citizens are entitled under interstate compacts.

(3.5) (a) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that it
supports the recommendation of the Lower Arkansas river commission in its plan
dated March 25, 1993, to protect and enhance fish and wildlife resources at the
Great Plains Reservoirs, and further finds that a joint funding effort, which includes
funds appropriated from the wildlife cash fund created in section 33-1-112 to carry
out such recommendation, would further the public interest by establishing
recreational opportunities in southeastern Colorado.

(b) The general assembly further declares that the joint funding effort
described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (3.5) shall not be solely a division
responsibility and that the appropriation from the wildlife cash fund shall be used
to maximize matching funds from other sources to ensure full implementation of
the recommendation.

(4) The state shall utilize hunting, trapping, and fishing as the primary
methods of effecting necessary wildlife harvests.

(5) The general assembly declares that it is the policy of the state to
prosecute persons who violate multiple provisions of this title 33 for each violation
that contains unique elements.

Legislative History

Source: L. 84: Entire article R&RE, p. 848, � 1, effective January 1, 1985. L. 93: (3.5) added, p. 2116, � 1, effective June 11. L. 2003: (5) added, p. 1028, � 1, effective July 1. L. 2012: (2) amended, (HB 12-1317), ch. 248, p. 1207, � 14, effective June 4. L. 2020: (5) amended, (HB 20-1087), ch. 49, p. 167, � 1, effective March 20.