Gov. Polis and CPW get a new letter from Colorado Cattlemen's Association and local stockgrowers

August 15, 2024 Shannon Lukens

wolf-letter-from-colorado-cattlemen-and-local-stockgrowers-slider

By Shannon Lukens.

A new letter has been sent to Governor Jared Polis and Jeff Davis, the Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It’s from the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CPA), the Routt County Cattlemen’s Association (RCCA), the North Park Stockgrowers Association in Jackson County (NPSA), and the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association in Grand County (MPSA).

It’s about the “Implementation of Colorado’s Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.” Depredations continue to occur with wolves killing livestock and CPW has denied again a request for a Chronic Depredation Permit from the Middle Park Stockgrowers.

The letter says there are 24 confirmed deaths of livestock from wolves in the first seven months since reintroduction. In comparison. Montana has 70 times the number of wolves as Colorado with just eight more livestock losses in all of 2023, than the eight months in Colorado.

“The obvious reason Montana has experienced fewer depredations-per-wolf is that Montana effectively manages its wolf population. In contrast, CPW has shown an alarming unwillingness to address wolf-livestock conflicts, creating a dangerous and unsustainable precedent. By refusing to manage problem wolves, CPW has allowed livestock depredations to continue unchecked, while at the same time fostering a pack of depredating wolves. Pups from these problem wolves will be trained to “hunt” and survive off livestock. To avoid this, the problem wolves must be removed and the pair’s pups placed in an appropriate sanctuary.”

The letter asks that a Chronic Depredation Permit be reconsidered and issued as soon as possible, for the two wolves doing a large amount of the killing of livestock in Grand County.

Here is the letter.

August 14, 2024
The Honorable Governor Jared Polis Office of the Governor
State Capitol Building, 200 E. Colfax Ave., Rm. 136, Denver, CO 80203

Jeff Davis, Director Colorado Parks and Wildlife 6060 Broadway Street
Denver, CO 80216

Dear Governor Polis and Director Davis,

RE: Concerns Regarding the Implementation of Colorado’s Wolf Restoration and Management Plan

The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (“CCA”), Middle Park Stockgrowers Association (MPSA), North Park Stockgrowers Association (NPSA), and Routt County Cattlemen’s Association (RCCA) write to express our deep concerns regarding the current direction and implementation of Colorado’s wolf reintroduction and management program. The depredations in the areas encompassed by these local organizations, as well as the recent denial of a Middle Park Stockgrowers’ application for a Chronic Depredation Permit, underscores broader systemic issues that we believe jeopardize not only the livelihood of livestock producers but also the long-term viability of a balanced wolf-livestock management strategy in our state.

Lack of Balanced Management
In May, the Middle Park Stockgrowers applied for a Chronic Depredation Permit to lethally remove two wolves located in Middle Park that the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (“CPW”) specifically identified as responsible for multiple depredations at nearby ranches. CPW waited until July 31, 2024—over two months later—to issue its decision denying the Chronic Depredation Permit. CPW’s decision to deny the permit—despite documented and increasingly common depredations—highlights a troubling trend of prioritizing wolves over the legitimate needs and rights of livestock producers. The protections of depredating apex predators should not come at the expense of livestock producers who have demonstrated a clear and ongoing threat to their livestock and livelihood.

This trend has become startlingly clear over the last three weeks. Days before CPW issued its decision denying the Chronic Depredation Permit, CPW learned that 15 sheep had gone missing from a producer’s property in Middle Park. CPW confirmed at least eight of these sheep dead. The remaining sheep are still missing. CPW itself has described this incident as a “confirmed depredation,” though the agency has noted that its investigation into this depredation remains “in progress.” See Confirmed Gray Wolf Depredation Information, https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACXvRKBg2b1faK1Oi53O9HKe2EuaeT8lB9q0LpCOD8p6gyAE2YSH5MY-zlWo_uJdi0fTAD16DbmCBGbaax/pub (accessed Aug. 14, 2024).

Critically, when CPW issued its permit denial, CPW knew that at least eight sheep had been killed in a depredation event. This brings Colorado’s total loss of livestock over the first eight months of this reintroduction program to 24 confirmed deaths. And this does not account for undocumented losses—the “missing” livestock and many suspected wolf-related deaths that CPW was incapable or unwilling to deem a depredation earlier in the year. CPW has confirmed that many of the confirmed depredations were caused by just two of the approximately 12 gray wolves located in Colorado.

To put this number in perspective, Montana has 70x the number of wolves as Colorado and had just eight more livestock losses in all of 2023 than Colorado has confirmed in the first seven months of 2024. In 2023, with an estimated statewide wolf population of 1,096, Montana confirmed the loss of 32 livestock as a result of wolf depredations. Montana was able to limit its livestock losses while ensuring the continued viability of its wolf population by authorizing the lethal removal of 31 wolves. See 2023 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wolf Report, https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/commission/2024/aug/wl/furbearer-wolf/final-2023-wolf-report.pdf.

The obvious reason Montana has experienced fewer depredations-per-wolf is that Montana effectively manages its wolf population. In contrast, CPW has shown an alarming unwillingness to address wolf-livestock conflicts, creating a dangerous and unsustainable precedent. By refusing to manage problem wolves, CPW has allowed livestock depredations to continue unchecked, while at the same time fostering a pack of depredating wolves. Pups from these problem wolves will be trained to “hunt” and survive off livestock. To avoid this, the problem wolves must be removed and the pair’s pups placed in an appropriate sanctuary.

Concerns Over Nonlethal Measures and Attractants
The CCA acknowledges the role of nonlethal measures in wolf management. However, we are concerned that the state’s expectations regarding the efficacy and implementation of these measures are unrealistic.

One of CPW’s principal reasons for denying the Chronic Depredation Permit was that Middle Park Stockgrowers did not promptly or effectively employ nonlethal measures. But this assertion mischaracterizes the facts, adds new requirements, and borders on a blithe dismissal of the extensive time and resources these ranches have invested in using nonlethal measures to protect their livestock. It feels like CPW keeps “moving the goal posts” to justify decisions.

The reality is that all nonlethal measures are not effective in Colorado, given the state’s unique terrain and land ownership patterns. Experience in Middle Park with nonlethal measures has shown that the two problem wolves are accustomed to humans and have learned that nonlethal measures do not harm them. Livestock producers in Middle Park report countless sightings of the two wolves sauntering away from humans yelling or screaming at them. When producers employ cracker shells and other targeted nonlethal measures, the two wolves are briefly repelled before simply circling back around to approach livestock from another direction. In short, these measures have limited success in areas with persistent activity by wolves used to preying on livestock.

The producers’ experiences in North Park, Middle Park, and, most recently, Routt County have led us to believe that the commitments and assurances provided to us during the initial stages of this process have not been upheld. Among other broken promises, we were consistently assured that livestock producers would not be required to alter their established practices to comply with the wolf reintroduction program. But CPW’s recent actions suggest otherwise. On numerous occasions—including in its recent permit denial—CPW has told producers in Middle Park that they must assume the risk and financial responsibility associated with deploying electrified fladry across their property—despite the high risk this measure poses to individuals accessing the property owned or leased by the producers. On another occasion, CPW suggested that cattle cannot be moved into leased lands that have been historically used year after year because the agency thought this established practice may be baiting the wolves to the location.

Moreover, the statement in the CPW denial letter that “CPW expects occasional wolf-related depredation to occur anywhere wolves and livestock coexist” reflects a break from the assurances made a year ago. The denial letter seems to create some sort of a “frequent depredation” standard before lethal action can be approved. But that is inconsistent with C.R.S. § 33-2-105.8(1)(d) that requires “[r]estoration of the gray wolf to the state must be designed to resolve conflicts with persons engaged in ranching and farming in this state.”

CPW’s stance is profoundly troubling and undermines the trust and collaboration that are essential for the successful management of our state’s natural resources.

Impact on the Ranching Community
The ramifications of this denial extend beyond Middle Park Stockgrowers. The decision signals to the ranching community that their concerns are secondary, which erodes trust and cooperation between producers and wildlife managers. The long-term sustainability of Colorado’s ranching industry is at risk if producers cannot rely on a fair and responsive management framework.

The Need for a Revised Approach
This issue goes beyond a single concern. Since the inception of the wolf reintroduction program, we have actively engaged and cooperated in good faith while also expressing our concerns throughout the process. However, our concerns have been consistently overlooked. If the current trajectory of wolf management persists, it will become increasingly difficult for us to continue our cooperation.

The CCA, MPSA, NPSA, and RCC urge CPW and the Governor’s Office to reconsider the approach taken in managing wolf-livestock conflicts. A more balanced, honest, and transparent strategy is needed—one that allows for lethal control when clearly justified, ensures that nonlethal measures are practical and effective in Colorado settings, and respects the rights of livestock producers.

CPW’s chronic depredation permit decision must be reconsidered; a permit should be issued as soon as possible.

Conclusion
The CCA, MPSA, NPSA, and RCC, remain committed to working with state agencies to find solutions that protect both wildlife and the livelihoods of livestock producers. However, this requires a management framework that is fair, balanced, and responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.

The undersigned organizations request that you take our concerns into serious consideration and initiate the necessary steps to address the issues highlighted in this letter. We stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue and to support efforts to create a more equitable and effective wolf management program in Colorado.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,
Tom Harrington, President
Colorado Cattlemen’s Association

Tim Ritschard, President
Middle Park Stockgrower’s Association

Mark Hackleman, President
North Park Stockgrower’s Association

Kyle Monger, President
Routt County Cattlemen’s Association

CC: Commissioner Dallas May, Commissioner Richard Reading, Commissioner Karen Bailey, Commissioner Jessica Beaulieu, Commissioner Marie Haskett, Commissioner Jack Murphy, Commissioner Gabriel Otero, Commissioner Duke Phillips, Commissioner James Jay Tutchton, Commissioner Eden Vardy, Director Dan Gibbs, Commissioner Kate Greenberg