
By Shannon Lukens. (File photo from Colorado Parks and Wildlife). This story will be updated if more information becomes available.
UPDATE from Tanya Espinosa, Public Affairs Specialist with USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at 5:29 a.m. Friday, March 21. “On March 15, USDA’s Wildlife Services responded to a sheep predation event on private lands in north central Wyoming. Evidence, consistent with wolf depredation was observed at the site, including wolf tracks, struggle sites, carcasses with premortem hemorrhaging, and bite marks consistent with known wolf predations. In total, 5 adult sheep were killed by an adult wolf, including one sheep that was heavily fed upon. Late March 15, Wildlife Services removed a wolf at the predation location. Closer examination showed the wolf had a collar from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Wyoming Game and Fish returned the wolf and the collar to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.”
A gray wolf from British Columbia that was released in Colorado in January has been killed in Wyoming.
9News is reporting that the wolf was involved with a wolf predation involving five sheep on private property in Wyoming. The 9News article quoted a spokesperson with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where media was told “Five adult sheep were killed by a wolf, the spokeswoman said. Late on March 15, Wildlife Services ‘removed a wolf at the predation location,’ the agency said. They later determined it was wearing a collar from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.”
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released limited information on what happened, saying that wolves will travel long distances, including into other states and that CPW will not comment on wildlife movements or operations in other states. CPW also says they have an agreement with Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona where gray wolves could be recaptured and returned to Colorado. We have asked CPW about their agreement with Wyoming, if there is one.
UPDATE 8:36 p.m. Thursday, March 20, from Travis Duncan. “Wolves are delisted from the Endangered Species Act in Wyoming and, because of this, wolves are managed differently there. CPW does not have an MOU with Wyoming regarding the recapture of wolves. CPW has an agreement with Utah, New Mexico and Arizona where gray wolves could be recaptured and returned to Colorado. This was developed to protect the genetic integrity of the Mexican wolf, a separately listed entity under the Federal Endangered Species Act.”


Fifteen gray wolves from British Columbia were captured and released in Pitkin and Eagle counties in mid-January.
UPDATE: Travis Duncan with CPW also writes that Colorado does not have to reimburse the rancher for their losses. “Colorado’s compensation fund is designated for losses occurring within Colorado’s borders.”
9News — Wolf reintroduced in Colorado killed after sheep predation in Wyoming
Press Releases and Information from Colorado Parks and Wildlife; March 20, 2025.
Media statement: Colorado Gray Wolf 2505-BC Mortality in Wyoming
CPW biologists received a mortality alert for male gray wolf 2505-BC this past weekend, March 16. The agency has confirmed the mortality took place in north-central Wyoming. 2505-BC was part of the group of wolves translocated to Colorado from British Columbia and came from areas where there is no overlap between wolves and livestock. Wolves are known to travel long distances to find food or mates, including into other states. The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in Wyoming was conducting livestock depredation mitigation in response to multiple livestock losses in Wyoming. CPW does not comment on wildlife movements, operations or regulations in other states. Any questions or additional information should be directed to Wildlife Services.
Contact:
Tanya Espinosa
Public Affairs Specialist
USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
From Travis Duncan, Public Information Supervisor with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Here is some additional background information on the Colorado Gray Wolf 2505-BC mortality in Wyoming:
The wolves translocated to Colorado from British Columbia came from areas where there is no overlap between wolves and livestock. Wolves are opportunistic hunters, and where wolves and livestock share the landscape, some conflict is to be expected.
CPW spent the first year of wolf restoration listening to and working with all stakeholders in this historic restoration effort. The results are an improved Conflict Minimization Program, the addition of new staff to work alongside producers, strengthened partnerships such as the Ad Hoc Working Group and Colorado Department of Agriculture, and guidelines for producers as it relates to chronic depredation and lethal management considerations.
These expanded capabilities will allow for faster response to conflicts and higher likelihood of effective non-lethal deployment. This work results in improved strategies for altering depredation behavior early and reducing the potential for repeated depredations.
CPW also published a Wolf-Livestock Conflict Minimization Program Guide in early January. This guide provides information on a variety of tools and methods available for livestock producers to employ in efforts to reduce the likelihood of wolf-livestock conflicts and establishes a framework for CPW’s response, along with available support from other state, federal and nongovernmental organizations.
Wolf movement into other states
As emphasized in our media statement, wolves travel long distances, including into other states. CPW does not comment on wildlife movements, operations or regulations in other states.
CPW has an agreement with Utah, New Mexico and Arizona where gray wolves could be recaptured and returned to Colorado. This was developed to protect the genetic integrity of the Mexican wolf, a separately listed entity under the Federal Endangered Species Act.
Steamboat Radio News Past Coverage of wolves in Colorado
- March 19, 2025 — CPW confirms a wolf attack on a dog in Jackson County
- March 5, 2025 — CPW Commission talks wolves and how “we have to get past this point of constant contention”
- Feb. 14, 2025 — Jackson County Rancher says CPW has confirmed a wolf kill of his cow
- Feb. 13, 2025 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife updates wolf movements and more
- Jan. 19, 2025 — Twenty wolves have been released in Eagle and Pitkin counties
- Jan. 16, 2025 — Here is how you can become a Range Rider
- Jan. 15, 2025 — Colorado legislators are told that CPW agents are being threatened
- Jan. 12, 2025 — New wolves may have arrived from British Columbia
- Jan. 11, 2025 — Up to 15 new gray wolves from British Columbia will be in Colorado within two weeks
- Jan. 8, 2025 — Video of the CPW Commission vote, denying the Wolf Citizen Petition
- Jan. 7, 2025 — Ag producers on Ad Hoc Wolf Working Group speak out before Wednesday’s CPW Commission meeting
- Jan. 7, 2025 — STATE LEGISLATORS DISCUSS WOLVES AND THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION
- Jan. 2, 2025 — A reward is offered for the person who shot a gray wolf in Grand County
- Dec. 31, 2024 — Producers submit three wolf depredation claims for over $575,000
- Dec. 23, 2024 — CPW releases definition and stipulations of Chronic Depredation and Lethal Management of wolves
- Dec. 21, 2024 — CPW says they’ll recommend denying petition request for delaying next introduction of wolves
- Dec. 9, 2024 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has started the operation to bring 15 gray wolves to Colorado from British Columbia
- Nov. 14, 2024 — Wolf Update — November 14, 2024
- Nov. 3, 2024 — A collared wolf has crossed I-70 to the south, for the first time
- Nov. 3, 2024 — CPW responds to requests from Club 20 about Wolf Reintroduction
- Oct. 15, 2024 — Livestock producers have access to livestock protection dogs for free from USDA
- Oct. 11, 2024 — Fifth wolf pup has not been captured
- Oct. 8, 2024 — CPW Commission gets another letter asking to pause wolf reintroduction
- Oct. 6, 2024 — CPW Commission hears wolf updates at meeting
- Sept. 30, 2024 –– A 5th wolf pup is spotted in Grand County and will be captured by CPW
- Sept. 30, 2024 — Colorado Ag Organizations petition CPW Commission before further wolf releases happen
- Sept. 26, 2024 — No producers show for first Non-Lethal Wolf Conflict Reduction Training Meeting
- Sept. 23, 2024 — CPW confirms a cow and a calf killed by wolves in Grand County
- Sept. 16, 2024 — The Wolf Conflict Reduction program is hiring two field specialists
- Sept. 14, 2024 — The next set of wolves coming to Colorado will be from Canada
- Sept. 13, 2024 — Middle Park Stockgrowers ask CPW not to release any more wolves there
- Sept. 12, 2024 — Another wolf is dead in Grand County
- Sept. 10, 2024 — Grand County ranchers are reporting more wolf kills
- Sept. 9, 2024 — The Copper Creek Wolf Pack has been captured and CPW says the adult male was unhealthy and has died
- Sept. 9, 2024 –– Ranchers with the most wolf depredations ask U.S. Fish & Wildlife to take over wolf management
- Aug. 27, 2024 — The Copper Creek Wolf Pack is getting rounded up and relocated
- Aug. 23, 2024 — CPW confirms the next wolves introduced will again be in Northern Colorado
- July 31, 2024 — Eight more sheep confirmed killed by wolves in Grand County
- July 31, 2024 — Colville Tribe says they won’t send wolves to Colorado now
- July 29, 2024 — Two more sheep die from wolves in Grand County
- June 24, 2024 — CPW REPORTS LESS WOLF ACTIVITY IN ROUTT AND NONE IN MOFFAT
- 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