CPW Recommends Denial of Ranchers’ Petition to Pause Wolf Reintroduction
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has recommended denying a petition submitted by ranchers seeking to delay the next round of gray wolf reintroduction until seven specified demands are met. The agency announced this decision Saturday, asserting that all concerns raised by ranchers have already been addressed. CPW worked collaboratively with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office in formulating its response.
The CPW Commission is scheduled to deliberate on this recommendation during its meeting on January 8, 2024. The second cycle of wolf reintroductions in Colorado is anticipated to occur between January and March 2025, with plans to transfer up to 15 wolves from British Columbia.
The petition, filed in September, outlined demands that included defining "chronic depredation," implementing non-lethal measures to manage wolf interactions with livestock, conducting site assessments to educate producers, launching a Range Rider program, establishing a rapid response team for livestock incidents, and ensuring communication with local counties regarding future reintroductions.
CPW has responded affirmatively to each condition, highlighting various initiatives already in progress, including site assessments for livestock producers, the development of the Range Rider program funded by wolf license sales, and enhanced community engagement through workshops and listening sessions.
Supporters of the wolf reintroduction, including conservation organizations, praised CPW’s recommendation, viewing it as a testament to responsible wildlife management that balances ecological goals with agricultural needs. Currently, Colorado is home to 14 known wolves, along with seven that survived last year’s reintroduction and five pups. As the state prepares for the next phase of reintroductions, officials remain committed to mitigating potential conflicts with livestock through ongoing education and resources.