CPW director, embroiled in controversial wolf reintroduction, resigned to avoid being fired, settlement shows

DENVER — The state’s top wildlife official in charge of overseeing Colorado’s highly controversial wolf reintroduction program resigned from his position late last month to avoid being fired, a settlement document obtained by Denver7 Wednesday shows.

Jeff Davis, now the former director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), agreed on Nov. 22 to resign from his post beginning Monday with the understanding he would also be on paid administrative leave between Nov. 21 and Dec. 1.

The settlement document, obtained by Denver7 through an open records request, also stipulated that Davis would agree not to sue the state and would instead announce he would be “transitioning to new leadership.”

The six-page document does not lay out why Davis’ termination was sought by the state wildlife agency in