Colorado is pushing hard for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to not list the greater sage grouse as endangered, Gov. John Hickenlooper told the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado. And he thinks they might not list the bird as an endangered species.
Hickenlooper is among those who are worried that a potential listing across such a large area could hamper ranches, farms and oil development. He points out voluntary efforts over the last decade that have preserved enough habitat to avoid a listing.
But some environmentalists say those voluntary measures aren't enough.
A decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected no later than the end of September. The greater sage grouse populates 11 western states including Colorado.
