The first year of official reintroduction of wolves to Colorado has had its ups and downs. The state-managed process is controversial. For years, the topic of facilitating the return of the species has had enthusiastic advocates and staunch opposition. Gray wolves, the species native to the central Rockies, were eradicated by humans by the 1940s due to hunting and trapping.
Between 2014 and 2019, following reintroduction in northern Rocky Mountain states, several wolves were observed migrating into northern Colorado. With their arrival, the long-simmering conversation of official reintroduction gained more momentum.
Between evidence of positive ecosystem repercussions in Yellowstone and nostalgic sentiments, many environmentalists were eager to try to replicate the shift in Colorado. While previous attempts for formal reintroduction failed at the agency and ballot level in the 1980s and 2016, by 2020, Proposition 114 made it onto the statewide ballot. The motion passed by just 1.8% of the vote, or around 57,000 votes.
The transplanted wolves from Oregon have made frequent headlines since being released in December of last year. While eight of the 10 animals struck out to explore the new territory, two very quickly paired and mated in Grand County. These wolves and their pups were named the Copper Creek Pack, and were captured in September following repeated conflicts with livestock producers in the area. The adult male died of injuries, sustained before its capture. The adult female and young wolves remain in Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) custody as the agency works to manage reintroduction and identify a suitable location for their release. Rachael Gonzales, CPW public information officer, provided comments to The Sopris Sun on the overall reintroduction process.
“As wolves continue to explore new areas across Colorado, CPW is committed to working closely with producers and ensuring they have the tools and resources available to minimize wolf-livestock conflict,” Gonzales stated. The agency has made informational brochures available to the public, including a Producer’s Guide to Livestock Depredations and a Wolf Resource Guide, which can be accessed on the CPW website or picked up in person from a CPW office.
The agency is also hosting training sessions and public meetings in various counties. “In addition to these brochures, CPW has been collaborating with the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) to host conflict reduction training sessions in several counties within the Northwest region. The purpose of the meetings is to share information and non-lethal tools available for producers to protect their livestock,” said Gonzales.
Earlier this month, CPW met with representatives and constituents from Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties to discuss tactics for preventing livestock depredations and encouraging historical ecosystem functions. In early 2025, CPW plans to release 15 more gray wolves, this time from British Columbia, in one or more of these Western Slope counties.
“There are three upcoming meetings in Eagle County, Gunnison County and Pitkin County in December. At these meetings, attendees can sign up for individual site assessments to gain a better understanding of what might work for them,” continued Gonzales. “Producers can also contact their local district wildlife manager to schedule one-on-one conversations.”
Gonzales reiterated that the last reported wolf-livestock incident in Colorado was Sept. 9 in Grand County, involving one cow and one calf. CPW maintains a full list of depredations on the wolf depredation page of its website. CPW does not have any updates on the Copper Creek pack at this time.
Gonzales said that wolves are inclined to avoid humans. Other stakeholders have suggested that wolves have been lured by unprotected livestock carcasses. CPW only provided comment about wolves avoiding people.
“Generally, wolves are calm and elusive and will avoid humans. They are unlikely to approach people or homes,” Gonzales explained. “If you live or recreate in the foothills or mountains of Colorado, you are in wolf country. Wolves are not normally a danger to humans, but you should treat wolves with the same respect you give any other wild animal.”
In addition to the upcoming December meetings, CPW offers multiple resource lists and brochures on its website. Its Living with Wolves page has a variety of tips for anyone living or recreating where wolves may be found.
For livestock producers, like ranchers, the agency has a multitude of information expounding on depredation prevention, and an established compensation policy for when those cases may arise. More information is expected in coming weeks as CPW determines locations and timing for the release of the British Columbia wolves.