FILING - 11/30/2008
Basis and Purpose 
Chapter 2 - Big Game

Basis and Purpose Statement:

H.B. 00-1448, which was passed into law in May 2000, provided for the annual adjustment of nonresident big game license fees based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI): "The nonresident big game fees described in subsection(1.4) of this section shall annually be adjusted in accordance with changes in the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for the Denver-Boulder consolidated metropolitan statistical area for all urban consumers, all goods, or its successor index." §33-4-102 (1.6)(b) C.R.S. Consumer Price Indices for the Denver-Boulder metropolitan statistical area are compiled by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Three figures are reported each year - the average CPI for the first half of the calendar year, the average CPI for the second half of the calendar year, and the average CPI for the entire calendar year. The chart below shows the average CPI for the first half of 2000, 2001, 2002  2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.  Cumulative percentage change for 2000-2008 was used to calculate proposed 2008 license fees.  The Wildlife Commission, under statutory authority granted in 33-4-102 (1.6) C.R.S., has continued its reduction of the fee for nonresident antlerless elk, bear and mountain lion licenses to encourage nonresident participation in those hunting activities and remain competitive with other western states.

Consumer Price Index - All Urban Consumers
Denver-Boulder-Greeley Metropolitan Area	
First Half, 2000
First Half, 2001
Annual Percentage Change	171.4
180.7
5.4%	
First Half, 2002
Annual Percentage Change	184.6
2.2%	
First Half, 2003
Annual Percentage Change	187.8
1.7%	
First Half, 2004
Annual Percentage Change	186.5
-0.7%	
First Half, 2005
Annual Percentage Change	189.2
1.4%	
First Half, 2006
Annual Percentage Change	196.3
3.8%	
First Half, 2007
Annual Percentage Change	201.258
2.5%	
First Half, 2008
Annual Percentage Change	208.7
3.7%	
Cumulative Percentage Change, 2000-2008
 (used to set 2009 fees)	21.8%	
Source:  U.S. Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

In addition, reduced antlerless deer licenses have been eliminated in DAU D-7.  Prices were reduced for the 2008 season in an effort to encourage harvest of antlerless deer in areas where harvest was desired for management purposes.  Since that time, continued evaluation of modeling procedures in this DAU have resulted in an estimate of fewer deer overall.  In light of the renewed model and continued energy development in the area, a significant increase in harvest is no longer desired, and reduction of the license fee in DAU D-7 is no longer necessary or desirable.

The statutory authority for these regulations can be found in § 24-4-103, C.R.S., and the state Wildlife Act, §§ 33-1-101 to 33-6-209, C.R.S., specifically including, but not limited to: §§ 33-1-101, 102, 104, 105, 106-108, 115, and 121; §§ 33-2-104, 105, 106, and 107; § 33-3-104; §§ 33-4-101, 102, 102.5, 103, 116, 116.5, 117, and 119; § 33-5.5-102; and §§ 33-6-107, 109, 112, 113, 113.5, 114, 114.5, 117, 119, 120, 121, 124, 127, 128, 129, 131, 205, 206, 207, and 208. 

EFFECTIVE DATE - THESE REGULATIONS SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009 AND SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL REPEALED, AMENDED OR SUPERSEDED.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE WILDLIFE COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO THIS 13th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2008.

APPROVED:
Robert W. Bray
Chairman

ATTEST:
Timothy R. Glenn
Secretary