The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted 10-1 to adopt a Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommendation to deny a citizen petition to delay gray wolf restoration efforts.
A coalition of 26 agricultural and livestock producers filed a formal petition in November to stop any more wolf releases until the state can “adequately address the conflicts between wolves and livestock producers.” As of November 14, 2024, CPW confirmed wolves killed 31 cows, 12 sheep, three dogs and one llama, a total that only included animals that received physical trauma resulting in injury or death and not unconfirmed or missing livestock incidents.
The commission determined rulemaking was unnecessary because CPW addressed the seven conditions listed in the petition at length during its Denver meeting. Those topics included development of a state range rider program, development of a depredation response operations team to address conflicts, non-lethal conflict techniques, a site assessment program, a definition of chronic depredation, collaborating with ranchers on removing carcasses and developing a communication plan to local officials, communities and producers. Find more information here.
The ruling came a week after ranchers sought $582,000 in compensation for the impact of wolves on their operations and livelihood.
CPW has an agreement with British Columbia to capture wolves in Canada and release them in Colorado before March 2025. The process began in early January.
(Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)