Rio Blanco county ag groups raised $34,000 to help oppose the statewide ballot initiative to introduce wolves on the Western Slope of Colorado.  The Rio Blanco Stockgrowers, in partnership with Rio Blanco Farm Bureau and Rio Blanco Woolgrowers, hosted “Dance Without Wolves,” fundraiser dinner and dance to raise money to oppose the initiative.

More than 300 people gathered at the Fairfield Center in Meeker for the sold-out event.  Rio Blanco Stockgrowers President, Brian Collins, noted, “This sends a strong message statewide that families on the Western Slope are very concerned about introducing wolves in their backyard and the subsequent negative impact on their families and communities.”

Proceeds from the event will go to Coloradans Protecting Wildlife, the issue committee set up by Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Cattlemen’s and Colorado Woolgrowers to run the campaign to oppose the initiative.

“The success of this event shows just how upset our neighbors on the Western Slope are with this proposal,” said Shawn Martini, vice president of advocacy at Colorado Farm Bureau and spokesman for Coloradans Protecting Wildlife. “It just demonstrates yet another reason why this initiative is bad for Colorado. The entire state shouldn’t have a say on a policy that will impact just a part of the state. It’s unfair and it’s a bad precedent to set.”

Coloradans Protecting Wildlife has been joined by wildlife conservation organizations, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Safari Club International. Grassroots members of SCI recently raised more than $140,000 from chapters across the country at their recent convention in Reno.

Another fundraiser is being planned by the Mesa County Farm Bureau on April 25th in Palisade. For more information on the campaign visit RethinkWolves.com