Initiative 200 Vote YES to Keep Estes Cage Free!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the proposed Initiative 200?
Initiative 200 will prohibit the public exhibition of wildlife in Estes Park.
Existing situations or events in Estes Park will not change or become illegal.

This won't prevent people from having horse shows, right?
That's correct. Horse shows fall within the meaning of "fairs," which
can be conducted as they always have. Horse shows have further
protection in that they're the ordinary business of a farm, ranch,
livery, or stable, which are also unaffected by Initiative 200. Private
ownership of horses will not be affected.

What about rodeos in Estes Park?
Under the current municipal code, rodeos are actually illegal in Estes
Park. These current ordinances are overlooked by the police and Board
of Trustees. In fact, The use of domesticated cattle is illegal under
all circumstances in Estes Park. Initiative 200 will protect rodeos for
future generations.

What about circuses? Will they still be welcome in Estes Park?
Yes. Many wonderful and exciting circuses do not cruelly use animal
acts. Cirque du Soleil, Circus Oz, the New Pickle Circus, and the
Cirque d'Hiver, are a few of the circuses that offer great
entertainment for the whole family. Wouldn't it be better to protect
our endangered animals from world wide poaching, destruction of
habitat, tuberculosis, and suffering than to view them for one hour of
inhumane entertainment?

Can I keep my dog in my yard, or tie her to a park bench when I go to
the post office or grocery store?
Of course. Initiative 200 deals with exhibition only. This means to
publicly display primarily for amusement or entertainment. Initiative
200 has nothing to do with our pets.

I've heard that Initiative 200 language is confusing, flawed.
Initiative 200 language was drafted by a municipal attorney,
experienced in the letter of the law. When Initiative 200 is voted into
law, police officers will clearly know what constitutes a violation or
an exemption. Initiative 200 is not flawed.

What is the meaning of the phrase "specific defenses to a charge"?
This language simply indicate exceptions to the prohibitions listed in
Initiative 200. The many exceptions, such as keeping dogs and cats in
pet stores or horses in stables, are of course completely protected by
this Initiative.

What does the word "exhibit" in Initiative 200 mean?
"Exhibit" means the "public display primarily for entertainment or
amusement". Definitions for Initiatives that become law are generally
decided upon by the Town Government and the Proponents of the
Initiative. In the case of Initiative 200, the Proponents of the
Initiative will work with the Town Government to incorporate the
definitions in the appropriate section of the Municipal Code.

Can I still sell or give away my dog's puppies?
Yes. You're free to advertise to sell or give away animals.

Can I keep my cockatiel and canary?
Absolutely. Initiative 200 will have no effect on what you do in your
own home.

What about people who visit our town and want to see wildlife?
The best way to see wildlife is in its natural environment, not in a
cage. Rocky Mountain National Park is right next door. We hope you'll
agree that people who want to see wildlife can either enjoy our elk or
go to the park. There is plenty of wildlife right in our own backyard
that can be seen from a car. Why cruelly cage animals for public
exhibit? Who would be entertained by this type of inhumane exhibit?

But what about animals such as bobcats - animals who we rarely see in
the wild?
Bobcats are reclusive precisely because they don't want to be close to
people. Forcing these animals to live their lives in a cage with a
steady stream of people gawking at them day-in and day-out is simply
inflicting pain and suffering on a helpless creature. Wouldn't it be
better to protect our wildlife?


How else will people learn about animals?
The best way to learn about animals is by watching them in their
natural environment, whether you're there in person or watching a video
or reading a book. In a zoo, especially a roadside zoo, you can't see
how ravens curve their tail feathers to maneuver through the sky, you
can't see or hear how prairie dogs warn each other of approaching
predators, and you can't see how beavers build dams. What you do see
are lethargic, depressed, and suffering animals. Children especially
can learn more humane treatment of animals by being educated in the new
Fall River Rocky Mountain Interpretative Wildlife Center, which is
under construction and does not include caged animal exhibits. Teaching
our children to respect our fellow creatures is as important a lesson
as any they can learn.

Developers of the proposed "roadside zoo" have talked about using
rehabilitated animals. Can they do this? Where will they get them?
The Colorado Division of Wildlife strongly discourages the exhibition
of rehabilitated animals. In addition, almost all wildlife
rehabilitators (rehabbers) are opposed to using rehabilitated animals
for exhibition purposes. Rehabbers do what they do because they want to
help animals return to the wild.

Developers of the proposed "roadside zoo" have talked about using
animals bred for captivity. Isn't this better than wild animals? Where
do they get these animals?
Animals bred for captivity are still wild creatures that have the same
feelings of suffering that our Rocky Mountain National Park wildlife
would experience if put into cages for public exhibition. The death
rate for these animals is very high. This means new animals have to be
constantly bred, simply feeding the coffers of people who breed
animals. The breeding industry is highly exploitative of animals (see
Animal Underworld, a new book by Alan Greene). Wouldn't it be better to
stop the senseless breeding of our fellow creatures for the purpose of
public amusement and entertainment?

Will Initiative 200 if adopted stop the proposed "roadside zoo" from
caging animals for exhibition?
Yes. Initiative 200 is the only available means to stop the proposed
roadside zoo from caging animals.

Committee for a Cage Free Estes Park
PMB #151
453 E. Wonderview Avenue
Estes Park, CO 80517
970-577-3529

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