$500 fine proposed for feeding wildlife in Colorado Springs

We’ve been telling you about it for a year, and the process began Monday to consider an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife in Colorado Springs.

The City Council heard the proposed ordinance from Bret Waters, deputy chief of staff, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife during an afternoon work session.

The proposed ordinance is the first action to be officially considered by the council in the long-discussed effort to control the city’s growing deer population.

The proposal would make it illegal for anyone to feed a non-domesticated animal, excluding bird feeders and birds.

Violators would receive a warning for a first offense and be cited for a $500 fine thereafter.

Officials say feeding deer helps increase the population, makes them tamer, increases damage to vegetation and landscaping, and is a major factor in more than 300 deer-vehicle collisions annually in the city.

As part of the proposed ordinance, officials said, the existing state law against feeding wildlife will be enforced more strictly. That law fines violators $50.

Waters said if the city ordinance passes, it will be enforced by the Code Enforcement Office.

But Councilman Tom Strand expressed skepticism about enforcement, saying the office is already overloaded with responsibilities.

Code Enforcement officer Mitch Hammes said fines will rarely be necessary because warnings and education will convince people to comply.

The council will have its first reading and vote on the proposal in two weeks.

The council has yet to vote on a long-term plan for deer management, after saying it wanted to decide by the start of deer hunting season.

Council members have ruled out an archery hunt within city limits as an option–leaving only culling (hiring a professional to thin the deer herd) or taking no action.

Councilman Andy Pico said only one firm — from the East Coast — has responded to the city’s request for proposals to formulate a deer management plan.