Denver, April 29 -- Wild bison that move into Colorado could be safeguarded following passage of the Protect Wild Bison bill in the state General Assembly that designates the national mammal as protected wildlife.

Sponsored by Sen. Jessie Danielson (D-Wheatridge), SB 25-053 designates wild bison as big game wildlife. Colorado law previously recognized bison only as livestock, a recognition from the 1800s when slaughtering took more than 30 million animals throughout North America down to less than a few hundred.

A handful of wild bison from the Book Cliffs in northeastern Utah have been wandering into Colorado, where they have been shot and killed. This valued native species had no protections under Colorado law, and the people killin...