Wolves have been removed from Colorado since the 1940s due to large amounts of wild animals and livestock kills. The removal was part of a plan to relocate the wolves because ranchers in Colorado started to complain that they were targeting farm animals. To get rid of the wolves, people around the state started to shoot them, trapping and poisoning them. The government then started to relocate. During the latter half of the 1800s, hunters killed most of the wolf prey, which included bison, elk, and deer. By the 1900’s less than 1,000 elk remained in Colorado. In recent years the population has increased to over a quarter million. Now Colorado has a more sustainable habitat for wolves, including a sufficient amount of prey and extensive public land.
Over the past couple of years, some wolves have migrated into some parts of Colorado. In May 2023, the Colorado Park and Wildlife Commission approved the final Colorado Wild Restoration and Management Plan. To start this transition, the first wolf was released on December 18, 2023, in Grand CountyCountry Colorado. Five more were then released in Summit and Grand Country. After this, Colorado Parks and Wildlife planned to bring in 10-15 wolves from different packs around the country and release them in Colorado each year for the next three to five years. While wolves are in Colorado they will be a part ofpart of of an Endangered Species Act. Even because of this plan, “the United States Fish and Wildlife Service” has started a rule-making process designed to give management flexibility by having wolves be an experimental population. This would classify Colorado wolves as an “experimental” population and give Colorado Parks and Wildlife “authority to lethally remove wolves for management purposes.”
Oregon has helped many states with their animal conservationconservational goals by transporting small amounts of animals at a time. Colorado has worked with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to help with the wolf population. The introductory process included the Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff working with helicopter crews and spotter planes to capture and transport wolves. Before they were transported, the wolves were tested and treated for disease, and collars were placed on wolves and were physically measured. For the safety of the animals, they were created in aluminum crates and transported by planes or trucks.
Some pros of adding wolves back into Colorado are they may provide a reduction of forage competition for livestock. They may also improve habitat and increase the populations of countless species. The presence of wolves in the ecosystems boosts biodiversity in plants, restores fish populations by repairing habitat, and helps offset the effects of climate change.
ConsCon’s of introducing wolves include but are not limited to, harassment and depredation of livestock, herd dogs, and guard animals. Concentration of wild animals on private property may result in property damage due to hunters or people taking pictures of animals on the property.
