Forced Out: Settlement Document Contradicts Official Announcement of CPW Director’s Departure
High Country Advocate Staff Report
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis was forced to resign to avoid termination, according to a settlement agreement dated November 22, 2024. The Department of Natural Resources announced three days later that Davis had “stepped down” to pursue a strategic advisory role.
The settlement agreement states Davis agreed to “resignation in lieu of termination” as CPW Director. He was placed on paid administrative leave November 21 and resigned effective December 1. He agreed not to sue the state.
In exchange, Davis received a position as Senior Policy Advisor for Strategic Priorities at DNR through May 15, 2026. The position is “not supervisory” and was created by repurposing an existing role elsewhere in the department. Davis reports to DNR Executive Director Dan Gibbs, who signed the settlement agreement seeking his termination.
The November 27 DNR press release announcing Davis’s departure included praise from Governor Jared Polis and Gibbs. It made no mention of termination or administrative leave.
DNR spokesperson Chris Arend declined to comment on why Davis was being terminated. The settlement agreement does not specify grounds for termination.
Davis served as CPW Director for 19 months. His tenure was defined by implementing Colorado’s wolf reintroduction program, which voters approved 50.9% to 49.1% in 2020. Western Slope counties where wolves were released voted overwhelmingly against the measure.
CPW released 25 wolves between December 2023 and January 2025. Ten have died. The state has confirmed 59 livestock deaths attributed to wolves. Multiple stockgrowers associations petitioned CPW to pause releases. Davis denied each petition.
Six weeks before Davis’s administrative leave, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik sent a cease-and-desist letter to Davis dated October 10, 2024. The letter stated Colorado was violating federal regulations by sourcing wolves from British Columbia instead of Northern Rocky Mountain states as required under the 10(j) rule.
Davis had signed agreements with British Columbia in July and October 2024 to obtain wolves for winter 2025-26 releases. Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho had declined to provide wolves. Washington’s Colville Tribe rescinded its agreement in August 2024. Washington State wildlife officials voted against helping Colorado in November 2024.
At the November 13, 2024 CPW Commission meeting, Davis stated: “So many of us are just ground down right now, and it’s really tough when you’re just hoping that today will be a little easier than yesterday.”
Eight days later, he was on administrative leave.
Major General Laura Clellan serves as Acting CPW Director. She retired from the Colorado National Guard in October 2024 after serving as Adjutant General. She previously worked as chief for leadership and employee development at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The settlement agreement states “resignation in lieu of termination.” The Department of Natural Resources announced Davis “stepped down.” State officials have not explained the contradiction.
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