By Shannon Lukens.

 

Another $28,000 is being sent to the Middle Park Stockgrowers (MPSG) Association in Grand County to help with non-lethal wolf deterrents, such as range riders. 

The announcement came today in a press release from the Colorado Department of Agriculture titled, “Polis Administration Provides Additional Funding for Non-lethal Wolf Deterrents.”

The money for the mitigation tools comes from the Wolf Depredation and Conflict Fund with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The Middle Park Stockgrowers have already received $20,000 from the Polis Administration , “to fund non-lethal deterrents, supporting our ranchers.”

“We were not prepared for the negative impacts that are happening, but the producers are having ongoing discussions about solutions with CDA and CPW,” said Tim Ritschard, President of Middle Park Stockgrowers Association. “We appreciate the assistance, this is an important first step in our partnership as we continue to work together through this process.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has also added five more Damage Conflict Mitigation Specialists to their staff, to help Adam Baca, the Wolf Conflict Coordinator.

At least seven calves/yearlings have been killed by wolves in Grand County since April.

This yearling was killed by a wolf in Grand County on April 28, 2024. Courtesy photo

The press release also says that livestock producers can submit a claim for livestock lost to wolf depredation. One rancher in Routt County who lost a calf to wolves said their Notice of Depredation claim was filed, which has to be filed within ten days. But they also said they are keeping the claim open until the end of the year, in case of other depredations.

 

Press release from Colorado Department of Agriculture; June 27, 2024.

Polis Administration Provides Additional Funding for Non-lethal Wolf Deterrents

Broomfield, Colo. — The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) are providing additional funding to the Middle Park Stockgrowers (MPSG) Association to continue supporting their community efforts of on-the-ground non-lethal predator deterrents.

CDA is extending the agreement with MPSG and, through collaboration with CPW, adding an additional $28,000 to support the association’s non-lethal deterrents plan, which includes a night time range rider to prevent wolf conflicts.

“We commend the many producers who are putting in the hard work of reducing predator conflict using non-lethal tools,” said Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. “There are resources available to producers, and CDA and CPW remain committed to not only deploying those resources quickly, but making sure they fit the needs of each agricultural community we serve. This additional funding for the Middle Park Stockgrowers has emerged through much collaboration with Middle Park. It will allow their community to continue implementing non-lethal practices, such as range riding. These tools are working. The more we work together to put different non-lethal techniques on the landscape, the more tools we’ll have to reduce conflict and ensure resilient ranches well into the future.”

Funding for these non-lethal conflict mitigation tools comes from CPW’s wolf depredation and conflict fund, and no license dollars were allocated for these range riders and other tools.

“We are grateful for our continued partnership with CDA, Middle Park Stockgrowers, and our agriculture communities across Colorado as we continue to restore this species,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis “This additional funding will help producers in Middle Park and surrounding communities ensure they have the non-lethal tools in their conflict mitigation toolbox to protect their livestock and minimize conflict with wolves.”

This funding builds on $20,000 that the Polis Administration has already awarded the Middle Park Stockgrowers to fund non-lethal deterrents, supporting our ranchers.

“We were not prepared for the negative impacts that are happening, but the producers are having ongoing discussions about solutions with CDA and CPW,” said Tim Ritschard, President of Middle Park Stockgrowers Association. “We appreciate the assistance, this is an important first step in our partnership as we continue to work together through this process.”

In addition to the continued support of the Middle Park community, CDA has been working with ranchers in other communities to implement non-lethal deterrents to ensure they are prepared for any future wolf activity.

“We continue to stand alongside Colorado’s agricultural communities, regardless of whether they have experienced wolf-related impacts, so those communities can implement operational changes, trainings and workshops, understand the suite of tools CDA and CPW have available, and put other non-lethal tools on the ground that support resilient ranching and livestock production,” continued Commissioner Greenberg. “Additionally, CDA has hired a manager for the non-lethal Conflict Reduction Program who will help bring resources and education about wolves and non-lethal conflict reduction to ag communities across the state.”

CDA has hired Dustin Shiflett to manage the Non-lethal Conflict Reduction Program in the Animal Health Division. Shiflett has been working in the agricultural and conservation arenas for nearly two decades, including 16 years at CPW and approximately a year at CDA in the Conservation Division. Shiflett will be hiring two additional employees for CDA’s program to work directly with producers. CDA staffers will work with communities where wolves have been spotted as well as ag communities that have not yet had wolves present.

Understanding the need for additional staffing resources to help producers identify potential conflict mitigation tools that will work for them, CPW has added five additional Damage Conflict Mitigation Specialists. These five new staff members will assist Adam Baca, Wolf Conflict Coordinator, expand the current wolf conflict mitigation program and assist in any depredation investigations.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding, CDA is working closely with CPW to anticipate and prepare for predator and livestock incidents. This includes help and education around non-lethal deterrence methods, such as range riders or the use of fladry.

Additionally, livestock producers who are affected by depredations and submit a claim may be eligible for the fair market value of livestock lost to wolf depredation. CPW’s dedicated Wolf Depredation Compensation cash fund has $175,000, provided from the state’s General Fund, in its balance and will receive $350,000 additional General Funds per fiscal year to keep a healthy balance in the fund on an ongoing basis.

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA 
27 de junio de 2024
Contacto: Olga Robak, 720-428-0441, olga.robak@state.co.us

El gobierno de Polis proporciona financiación adicional para disuasorias no letales de los lobos

BROOMFIELD, Colorado — El Departamento de Agricultura de Colorado (CDA) y los Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado (CPW) están proporcionando financiación adicional a la Asociación de Ganaderos de Middle Park (MPSG) para seguir apoyando esfuerzos comunitarios de disuasión de depredadores no letales sobre el terreno.

CDA está extendiendo el acuerdo con MPSG y, a través de la colaboración con CPW, aumentando $28,000 más para apoyar el plan de disuasión no letal de la asociación, que incluye un llanero nocturno para prevenir conflictos con lobos.

“Aplaudimos a todos los productores que están haciendo el trabajo duro de reducir los conflictos con depredadores utilizando herramientas no letales,” dijo la Comisionada de Agricultura de Colorado, Kate Greenberg. “Hay recursos para los productores, CDA y CPW mantienen su compromiso no solo de desplegar esos recursos con rapidez, sino de asegurarnos de que se ajusten a las necesidades de cada comunidad agrícola de las que servimos. Esta financiación adicional para la Asociación de Ganaderos de Middle Park ha surgido a través de mucha colaboración con Middle Park. Permite que la comunidad siga aplicando prácticas no letales, como la de los llaneros. Estas herramientas están funcionando. Mientras más trabajemos juntos para aplicar distintas técnicas no letales en el paisaje, más herramientas tendremos para reducir los conflictos y garantizar ranchos resistentes en el futuro.”

La financiación de estas herramientas no letales de mitigación de conflictos procede del fondo de CPW para la depredación y el conflicto con los lobos, y no se asignaron fondos para licencias y otras herramientas.

“Estamos agradecidos por nuestra asociación continúa con CDA, la Asociación de Ganaderos de Middle Park, y nuestras comunidades agrícolas en todo Colorado y continuamos restaurando esta especie,” dijo el Director de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado, Jeff Davis. “Esta financiación adicional ayudará a los productores en Middle Park y a las comunidades circundantes a asegurarse de que tengan las herramientas no letales en su caja de herramientas de mitigación de conflictos para proteger a su ganado y minimizar los conflictos con los lobos.”

Esta financiación se suma a los $20,000 que la administración de Polis ya ha concedido a los ganaderos de Middle Park para financiar medidas disuasorias no letales, apoyando a nuestros ganaderos.

“No estábamos preparados para los impactos negativos que están ocurriendo, pero los productores están en comunicación regularmente sobre soluciones con CDA y CPW,” dijo Tim Ritschard, Presidente de la Asociación de Productores de Ganaderos de Middle Park. “Estamos muy agradecidos por la asistencia, este es el primer paso, uno muy importante, para entender cómo podemos seguir nuestro trabajo juntos en el transcurso del conflicto.”

Además del apoyo constante de la comunidad de Middle Park, CDA ha estado trabajando con ganaderos de otras comunidades para aplicar medidas disuasorias no letales que garanticen que están preparados para cualquier actividad de lobo en el futuro.

“Queremos seguir apoyando a las comunidades agrícolas de Colorado, aunque hayan tenido experiencias con los lobos o no, para que esas comunidades puedan implementar cambios operativos, capacitaciones y talleres, comprender los recursos y herramientas que CDA y CPW tienen disponibles, y poner en práctica otras herramientas no letales que apoyen una ganadería resiliente,” continuó la Comisionada Greenberg. “Además, CDA ha contratado a un gestor para el Programa de Reducción de Conflictos No Letales que ayudará a brindar recursos y educación sobre los lobos y la reducción de conflictos no letales a las comunidades agrícolas de todo el estado.”

CDA ha contratado a Dustin Shiflett para gestionar el Programa de Reducción No Letal de Conflictos en la División de Salud Animal. Shiflett lleva casi dos décadas trabajando en el ámbito de la agricultura y la conservación, con 16 años en CPW y aproximadamente un año en la División de Conservación en CDA. Shiflett contratará a dos empleados más para el programa del CDA, que trabajarán directamente con los productores. El personal de CDA trabajará con las comunidades en las que se han visto lobos, igual con las comunidades agrícolas en las que aún no ha habido presencia de lobos.

Entendiendo la necesidad de recursos de personal adicionales para ayudar a los productores a identificar posibles herramientas de mitigación de conflictos que funcionen para ellos, CPW ha añadido cinco Especialistas en Mitigación de Conflictos por daños adicionales. Estos cinco nuevos miembros del personal ayudarán a Adam Baca, Coordinador de Conflictos con el Lobo, a ampliar el programa actual de mitigación de conflictos con el lobo y a colaborar en cualquier investigación de depredación.

A través de un Memorando de Entendimiento, CDA colabora estrechamente con CPW para anticipar y prepararse para los incidentes con depredadores y ganado. Esto incluye la ayuda y la educación en cuanto a métodos de disuasión no letales, como los llaneros o el uso de fladry.

Además, los ganaderos que se vean afectados por las depredaciones y presenten un reclamo pueden ser elegibles para recibir el valor justo de mercado por el ganado perdido a causa de la depredación del lobo. Existe un fondo en efectivo dedicado a la compensación por depredación de lobos con un saldo de $175,000, proporcionado por el fondo general del estado y recibirá $350,000 fondos adicionales cada año fiscal para mantener un equilibrio saludable en el fondo de manera regular.

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The Colorado Department of Agriculture exists to support the state’s agriculture industry and serve the people of Colorado through regulation, advocacy, and education. Our mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado agriculture, promote a safe and high-quality food supply, protect consumers, and foster responsible stewardship of the environment and natural resources. Learn more at ag.colorado.gov.

El Departamento de Agricultura de Colorado existe para apoyar a la industria agrícola y servir a la población del estado a través de regulaciones, abogacía y educación. Nuestra misión es fortalecer e impulsar la agricultura de Colorado, promover un suministro de alimentos seguro y de alta calidad, proteger a los consumidores y fomentar la administración responsable del medio ambiente y los recursos naturales. Conozca más en ag.colorado.gov.

 

Steamboat Radio News Past Coverage of wolves in Colorado

• June 20, 2024 — WOLF PUP CONFIRMED IN GRAND COUNTY
  June 19, 2024 — CPW CONFIRMS SOUTH ROUTT WOLF KILL
• June 17, 2024 — PRODUCER REPORTS SUSPECTED WOLF KILL IN SOUTH ROUTT COUNTY 
• June 16, 2024 —  CPW DIRECTOR JEFF DAVIS ANSWERS QUESTIONS AT JACKSON COUNTY GATHERING 
• June 13, 2024 —  CPW TO FORM WORKING GROUP REGARDING WOLF RESTORATION
• June 12, 2024 — NORTH PARK PRODUCER WHO LOSES CALF SPEAKS OUT
• June 10, 2024 — CPW CONFIRMS ANOTHER WOLF DEPREDATION IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEKEND
• June 5, 2024 — Wolf Video posted from Grand County
• May 26, 2024 —  DON GITTLESON SAYS ANOTHER CALF HAS BEEN KILLED BY WOLVES ON HIS RANCH 
• May 15, 2024 — HERE’S THE LATEST LETTER TO MIDDLE PARK STOCKGROWERS FROM CPW DIRECTOR DAVIS 
• May 14, 2024 — Suspected mountain lion kills the collared wolf
• May 6, 2024 — MIDDLE PARK STOCKGROWERS SEND EIGHT-PAGE LETTER TO CPW
• April 30, 2024 — GRAND COUNTY RANCHERS TO GET HELP WITH PROTECTING THEIR LIVESTOCK
• April 30, 2024 — NORTH PARK STOCKGROWERS SEND ANOTHER LETTER TO CPW AND GOV. POLIS
• April 28, 2024 —ANOTHER WOLF KILL IN GRAND COUNTY SUNDAY
• April 24-2024 —  COLLARED GRAY WOLF ACTIVITY MAP RELEASED FOR APRIL
• April 23, 2024 — A WOLF HAS DIED, AND MIDDLE PARK STOCKGROWERS HEAR FROM CPW
• April 22, 2024 —  MULTIPLE LETTERS SENT TODAY TO GOVERNOR POLIS AND CPW ASKING FOR ACTION ON WOLVES
• April 18, 2024 —  FOUR MORE HEAD OF LIVESTOCK KILLED BY WOLVES IN GRAND COUNTY
• April 9, 2024 — AG PRODUCERS MEET WITH CPW OFFICIALS IN KREMMLING ABOUT WOLVES
• April 8, 2024 — ANOTHER CALF KILLED BY A WOLF OR WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY
• April 3, 2024 — A WOLF OR WOLVES HAVE KILLED A NEWBORN CALF IN GRAND COUNTY
• April 3, 2024 —  Denver 7  Calf killed in first confirmed report of gray wolf depredation since wolves were released in December
• Feb. 29, 2024 — COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE OFFICIALS COME TO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS TO TALK WOLVES
•  Jan. 30, 2024 — CPW SENDS UPDATE ON WOLF SIGHTINGS SINCE 2004, AND MORE ON THE MAP
• Jan. 24, 2024  — ELECTED OFFICIALS GRILL DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CPW AT HEARING WEDNESDAY
• Jan. 22, 2024 — CPW GETS HARSH LETTER DEMANDING ANSWERS FROM ROBERTS AND MCCLUSKIE
• Jan. 19, 2024 — COLORADO’S NEXT WOLVES TO BE REINTRODUCED WILL BE FROM TRIBAL LANDS IN WASHINGTON
• Jan. 12, 2024 — CPW CONFIRMS WOLVES WERE IN SOUTH ROUTT BUT AREN’T (YET) IN MOFFAT
• Dec. 22, 2023 — FIVE MORE WOLVES ARE RELEASED BY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
• Dec. 22, 2023 — CPW DENIES GITTLESON’S REQUEST TO IMPLEMENT 10(J) RULE ON JACKSON COUNTY WOLVES
• Dec. 21, 2023 — THREE OF THE FIVE WOLVES RELEASED IN COLORADO WERE IN PACKS THAT KILLED OR INJURED LIVESTOCK IN OREGON
• Dec. 19, 2023 — LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS RECEIVE WOLF UPDATE FROM CPW IN CRAIG MONDAY
• Dec. 13, 2023 — GITTLESON SAYS ANOTHER CALF WAS ATTACKED BY A WOLF TODAY
• Dec. 11, 2023 — COMPLAINT FILED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT TO STOP WOLF REINTRODUCTION IN COLORADO
• Dec. 4, 2023 — KEEP YOUR PETS CLOSE AND CARRY A BIG STICK – CPW HAS ADVICE FOR LIVING WITH WOLVES
• Nov. 19, 2023 — THREE LAMBS KILLED BY A WOLF IN JACKSON COUNTY, SAYS RANCHER
• Nov. 17, 2023 – CPW AND CDA ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO WORK TOGETHER ON WOLF REINTRODUCTION
• Nov. 7, 2023 – U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SETS DATE FOR 10J RULE FOR WOLVES
• Oct. 6, 2023 – COLORADO WILL RECEIVE WOLVES FROM OREGON
• May 16, 2023 –  POLIS VETOES 10J RULE WOLF BILL
• May 3, 2023 – CPW COMMISSION APPROVES FINAL WOLF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN 
• May 2, 2023 – MANAGEMENT OF GRAY WOLVES REINTRODUCTION BILL PASSES IN STATE HOUSE
• May 2, 2023 –CPW MEETS THIS WEEK FOR FINAL WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN 
• April 27, 2023 – CPW CONFIRMS WOLF SIGHTING EAST OF KREMMLING
• April 8, 2023 – CPW WOLF COMMISSION MEETS IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS 
• April 3, 2023 – CPW TO PRESENT FINAL DRAFT WOLF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
• March 28, 2023 – THE SOUTHERN UTE TRIBE ASKS THAT CPW RELEASES WOLVES ALONG I-70 CORRIDOR
• March 15, 2023 – TWO DOGS DIE FROM WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEK
• March 3, 2023 –COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION RELEASES WOLF REINTRODUCTION MEETING RECAP 
• Feb. 21, 2023 —WOLF 2101 RECAPTURED AND RECOLLARED IN JACKSON COUNTY
• Feb. 21, 2023 —10J RULE MEETINGS WITH REGARDS TO WOLVES SCHEDULED FOR NW COLORADO BY US FISH AND WILDLIFE
• Jan. 17, 2023 —STATE LEGISLATORS HEAR MORE ON WOLF REINTRODUCTION AT JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING
• Dec. 13, 2022 —MORE WOLVES VISIT GITTLESON PROPERTY IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEK
• Dec. 12, 2022 —NORTH PARK RANCHERS MEET WITH CPW REGARDING WOLF REINTRODUCTION PLAN
• Dec. 10, 2022 —CPW RELEASES DRAFT COLORADO WOLF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
• Nov. 19, 2022 —ANOTHER WOLF ATTACK REPORTED IN JACKSON COUNTY
• Oct. 9, 2022 —WOLVES ATTACK CALVES IN RIO BLANCO AND JACKSON COUNTIES
• July 14, 2022 —CPW UPDATES THE WOLF PACK IN JACKSON COUNTY
• June 20, 2022 ––WOLF MANAGEMENT DISCUSSED AT MEETING IN WALDEN
• June 15, 2022 —WOLVES IN NORTH PARK ARE SUBJECT AT MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 20
• May 30, 2022 —THE GITTLESON RANCH LOSES ANOTHER CALF TO WOLVES, THEY SAY
• May 5, 2022 —AT LEAST TWO MORE CALVES KILLED BY WOLVES ON GITTLESON RANCH
• May 10, 2022 ––THIRD CALF DIES ON JACKSON COUNTY RANCH; CPW DOES NECROPSY
• April 11, 2022 —A NEW LITTER OF WOLF PUPS IS EXPECTED IN JACKSON COUNTY
• March 17, 2022 —WOLVES ATTACK ANOTHER DOMESTIC COW IN JACKSON COUNTY
• Feb. 10, 2022 – MONTANA STOCKGROWERS VOICE SUPPORT FOR COLORADO RANCHERS OVER THE WOLVES
• Feb. 9, 2022 – WOLF MANAGEMENT DISCUSSED BY LOCAL RANCHERS AND OFFICIALS AT FORUM IN STEAMBOAT
• Jan. 22, 2022 – WOLF MITIGATION OPTIONS
• Jan. 19, 2022 – ANOTHER COW KILLED OVERNIGHT IN NORTH PARK BY WOLVES
• Jan. 18, 2022 – TWO MORE COWS ATTACKED BY WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY TUESDAY
• Jan. 12, 2022 – CPW ALLOWS WOLVES TO BE HAZED IN EMERGENCY DECLARATION
• Jan. 10, 2022 – A WOLF PACK KILL IS REPORTED IN JACKSON COUNTY OVER THE WEEKEND
• June 9, 2021 – WOLF DEN WITH PUPS CONFIRMED IN NW COLORADO