Colorado CPW Director on Leave After Alleged Racist Comments About Black Employee

The Colorado Department of National Resources (DNR) has placed Parks and Wildlife Director Dan Prenzlow on paid leave after racially insensitive comments he allegedly made on stage during a conference on April 19. The comments related to the event organizer of the 2022 Partners in the Outdoors Conference.

“Last week, I received several complaints about inappropriate comments and interactions at Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in Outdoors Conference in Vail, Colorado,” Colorado DNR Executive Director Dan Gibbs said in a release on Monday.

The department’s move to place Prenzlow on paid leave followed a complaint, filed by Alease “Aloe” Lee, the statewide partnership coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Lee organized the conference, which was attended by hundreds of community members, elected officials, and state employees.

The letter, addressed to Governor Jared Polis, states:

“At this moment, I am reaching out to you as a traumatized, disappointed, upset, and extremely uncomfortable Black woman and state employee. I believe you know exactly why. I am also encouraged that you will move swiftly to eradicate the bold and gross racism that made itself apparent at the 2022 Partners in the Outdoors Conference directly from the mouth of your appointee.”

Lee, who stood in the back of the room, claims in the letter, “In a failed attempt to thank me, he exclaims on stage in front of 600 people ‘… there she is! In the back of the bus, Aloe!’”

Lee’s letter also explains that Prenzlow sought her out later and said he was unaware of the context of the phrase and that he didn’t mean any harm.

“I have never known the phrase ‘back of the bus’ to not cause harm to Black people,” Lee writes.

Before the 1960s civil rights movement, many American city laws required Black passengers to give up their bus seats to white passengers and take seats in the back. Well-known civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks famously refused to change her seat in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955.

Prenzlow apologized for making an “insensitive comment” during the banquet in an email to conference attendees the evening after.

“I appreciate those who pointed out my statement and how my comment evokes painful realities that many have and continue to face. When we talk about intent versus impact, I learned how quickly a statement can have a harmful and hurtful impact. I am sincerely sorry,” Prenzlow writes in the email.

In her open letter, Lee says the apology was “vague” and “unfelt.”

“Again, I am traumatized, exhausted, disappointed, and extremely uncomfortable after this horrific experience,” Lee writes.

DNR Executive Director Dan Gibbs later emailed attendees on Saturday, April 23 saying that equitable, inclusive access for all to DNR programs, events, and outdoors are a personal priority and “integral to the mission and culture of DNR.” He adds that his department would launch a “fact-finding investigation to better understand what occurred and to help inform any future personnel or department actions.”

Gibbs released a statement on Monday confirming he had placed Prenzlow on administrative leave, “in light of the complaints and events at the conference.” He designated Heather Dugan, DNR’s assistant director for field service, as acting director for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

In her letter, Lee demands that Prenzlow is terminated immediately and that another official, Dan Gates, whom she claims frequently uses the N word, is also removed from his position as Chair of the Colorado Wildlife Council and from his post on the Habitat Stamp Committee and the Colorado Outdoor Partnership.

She also pushes Polis to take action and show his support for people of color.

“You have opened the doors for LGBTQIA+ people to see themselves in State leadership positions. Now be the one to help BIPOC folks feel safety and belonging in the conservation movement that you and your administration so strongly support,” Lee concludes. “This is your opportunity to be the leader for future generations that we believe you are.”

The Department of Natural Resources says it has the open letter and is currently reviewing the allegations.

Those interested in viewing the full letter and signing on for support can find it here.