Legislator Spotlight

Legislator Spotlight: Representative Karen McCormick

May 17, 2024

Region

National

NCEL Point of Contact

Kate Burgess
Conservation Program Manager

Contact

I had heard that Colorado didn’t include invertebrates as animals in the current state statute, from NCEL. As a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, one of my biggest goals throughout my life is to protect animals. I want to work to protect biodiversity, as it is incredibly important. Once I found out that the Department of Natural Resources was also interested in this issue, we decided to work together to bring this legislation forward, adding rare plants as well. 

Background

Representative Karen McCormick sponsored HB24-1117 which makes changes to Colorado’s Nongame, Endangered, or Threatened Species Conservation Act. The bill adds rare plants and invertebrates to the list of species that must be conserved and protected.