(1) It is the duty of the commissioner to control depredating animals within the state of Colorado to reduce economic losses to agricultural products or resources, except as otherwise set forth in subsection (4) of this section. The commissioner has exclusive jurisdiction, as described in this article, over the control of depredating animals. (2) The commissioner may take such steps as are necessary to carry out this part 1, including: (a) Adopting rules for the control of depredating animals, in consultation with the parks and wildlife commission; (b) Establishing lethal and nonlethal methods of controlling depredating animals; (c) Allowing state employees and owners of agricultural products or resources and their families, employees, agents, and identified designees to control depredating animals. Any bears or mountain lions taken by identified designees shall remain the property of the state. The license requirements of section 33-6-107 (9), C.R.S., shall not apply to this article; except that the identified designee shall possess a small game or furbearer license. (d) Allowing nonlethal methods or preventive activities such as the use of guard dogs and scaring devices. (3) When promulgating rules for the control of depredating animals, the commissioner shall consider and encourage humane and effective methods of control. (4) With respect to controlling depredating animals of an at-risk species, the following applies: (a) The parks and wildlife commission must approve any rules concerning the taking of depredating animals of an at-risk species prior to the adoption of such rules by the commissioner. (b) The commissioner, when adopting or modifying rules, shall consider any reasonably workable alternative designed to minimize the direct effect on at-risk species. (c) The commissioner shall control depredating animals of an at-risk species only where damage is occurring. (d) The commissioner shall notify the division of parks and wildlife in the department of natural resources when controlling depredating animals of an at-risk species. (5) The state agricultural commission shall approve any rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this part 1 prior to their adoption by the commissioner. (6) The commissioner may enter into written agreements on behalf of the state with the United States to define such procedure in accordance with sections 35-40-101 to 35-40-106 as said commissioner shall deem advisable and proper for the purpose of cooperating with the United States in the control in this state of coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, bobcats, and other depredating animals. The commissioner may also enter into written agreements concerning the analysis of depredation. (7) The commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements with the division of parks and wildlife in the department of natural resources for assistance in carrying out this part 1, which assistance may include resources, including financial assistance, at the discretion of the parks and wildlife commission. (8) The commissioner shall contact and provide information to the parks and wildlife commission as said commission sets population levels and hunting permit numbers for predators in areas where there is depredation to agriculture. (9) The powers and duties vested in the commissioner by this article may be delegated to qualified employees of the department. (10) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the division of parks and wildlife from issuing permits pursuant to section 33-3-106, C.R.S., for the taking of wildlife causing damage.
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