DENVER — Russell George proved naysayers wrong when he was elected speaker of the state House two years ago despite criticism that he was too moderate for the increasingly conservative Colorado Legislature.

He figures he can do it again, proving his background in water law and politics — not wildlife management — is just what he needs as he begins a new job as state Division of Wildlife chief.

"It’s daunting, I don’t mind telling you," George said in a weekend telephone interview from his home in Rifle in western Colorado.

"That’s what makes it so exciting."

George’s appointment marks a shift in management style, from a wildlife expert to a chief executive officer. A similar move occurred recently in Washington state, where an independent body was established to govern the wildlife agency.

The decision drew immediate criticism from environmentalists, who believe wildlife-management experience is a must for the division’s chief.

"This will be the first time in the history of the division that it will be led by someone with no professional training or experience in wildlife management," said Mike Smith, wildlife chairman of the Sierra Club’s Colorado chapter.

"That’s a sign that these decisions are going to be politically driven rather than scientifically driven."

A Harvard-educated attorney who specializes in water law, George, 54, wrapped up his eight-year legislative career in May, capping his tenure as speaker of the House.

He was named to the division post last week after a long screening and interview process.

He starts officially Sept. 18.

George is succeeding John Mumma, a biologist and a former U.S. Forest Service supervisor and regional forester in Missoula, Mont., who retired in June after five years as director of the 700-plus-employee agency.

Considered a strong wildlife advocate, he worked to restore wolves to Yellowstone National Park and Canada lynx to Colorado.

Smith praised George’s votes on hunting and fishing, but condemned his sponsorship of a 1996 bill that transferred responsibility for predator control from the wildlife division to the Agriculture Department after ranchers complained their concerns were being ignored.

A voter-approved constitutional amendment severely restricting the use of leg-hold traps to catch coyotes and other animals was a reaction to the 1996 law.

Smith warned that voters may make the Division of Wildlife independent of the Legislature and administration if the agency becomes too politicized.

George is aware of those concerns, but won’t apologize for sponsoring the predator-control bill.

He said he was representing his district, which includes ranchers and farmers who lose livestock to predators.

As wildlife chief, George said his constituency is different and his approach will be, too.

"I’m not going to favor one side of this equation over another. You can’t do that," George said.

"I don’t want wildlife policy done at the ballot box."

Ray Christensen, executive vice president of the Colorado Farm Bureau, has criticized the wildlife division in the past, but is encouraged by Russell’s appointment.

"I would tell our environmental friends not to worry because he’s the one that can do the job in a fair and balanced way," Christensen said.

Former state Sen. Tilman Bishop, R-Grand Junction, a longtime division advocate, isn’t sure anyone will ever satisfy all the different interest groups.

"This particular division probably has more masters and more landlords than any other," Bishop said.

In recent years, various groups have pushed legislation that chipped away at the agency. For example, recent laws have required more oversight of decisions on endangered species and placed the division more firmly under the control of the Natural Resources Department.

The agency also answers to the Wildlife Commission, which is appointed by the governor.

Bishop said the bottom line is that state law decrees the wildlife "belong to the people of Colorado."