Some wildlife advocates are unhappy with a new policy that bars them from audio and video recording, as well as livestreaming, meetings held by a group advising the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission on a plan to reintroduce and manage gray wolves.

Acting Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Heather Dugan imposed the restriction in a memo last month because the Stakeholder Advisory Group “touches on controversial and divisive topics” that require “candid discussions” among members.

Because SAG meetings aren’t recorded by staff and the public can’t participate via Zoom or some another teleconferencing platform, anyone interested in the gray wolf issue must either attend meetings in person or rely on published minutes for information. The meetings, which include opportunities for public comment, are being held around the state, including in Durango this week.

“As if COVID wasn’t enough, the size of Colorado makes it a real burden to do due diligence and track these conversations,” Chris Smith of WildEarth Guardians told the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. “I understand why they move the meetings around the state — that’s actually pro-accessibilty — but I don’t see why they aren’t broadcasting them or at least recording them and then allowing them to be seen by the public.”

Delia Malone, wildlife chair for the Colorado Sierra Club, thinks the wolf management decision-making process “has been characterized by inequity, lack of inclusion and lack of transparency.”