Search for uncollared wolf in Rio Blanco County is discontinued

August 26, 2025 Shannon Lukens

By Shannon Lukens. File photo of Milk Creek area in Rio Blanco County.

UPDATE at 4:30 p.m. After posting this story, Steamboat Radio News has been told by a reliable source that, “They shot the RBC (Rio Blanco County) wolf but could not find the body, even after searching.” A second person said, “we were unable to recover a carcass.”

We asked Travis Duncan again, the Public Information Supervisor with CPW, to confirm if the wolf was actually shot and received the following response, “CPW will not be sharing further specific information concerning the depredation events or the ensuing removal operation at this time. CPW will post a final report on its website once it is completed.”

The wording in the press release says, “CPW and WS located the wolf and attempted to lethally remove the wolf with a firearm on August 16 but were unable to locate the animal due to the dense vegetation and difficult terrain in the area.”

The press release does not confirm whether the wolf was actually shot.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reporting it can’t find the wolf that has been killing sheep in Rio Blanco County. It’s a wolf that is not collared, so not one that was released as part of the state’s wolf introduction program. This wolf has killed at least six head of sheep in Rio Blanco County in late July and August.

One rancher in Rio Blanco County says they were told by a CPW officer that it was in the area of Milk Creek in Rio Blanco County, which is where the Milk Creek Battlefield is located. We have asked CPW spokesperson Travis Duncan for confirmation.

UPDATE: Duncan has responded at 3 p.m. He confirmed that “CPW has concluded the active removal period for this animal.”

We asked of the wolf was killed and this is the response, “It is unclear whether the wolf is dead. CPW and WS engaged in an exhaustive six-day search but were unable to locate the animal.”

We asked for confirmation on the Milk Creek area and if they knew where the wolf might be headed and this was that response, “As mentioned in the press release, CPW and WS continue to monitor Rio Blanco County for signs of further wolf activity and there have been no additional depredations or reports of wolf vocalizations since August 16.”

On Aug. 16, CPW, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services deployed a team to lethally remove the uncollared wolf. A press release from CPW says they found it and tried to shoot it but couldn’t due to dense vegetation and difficult terrain. The search continued for six days and has now concluded, but they’ll continue to monitor the area for wolf activity.

Lethal Removal operations were also delayed due to the Elk Fire which started Aug. 2.

The press release also states that range riders were deployed, as were shepherds working dogs and sound scare devices.

Press Release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife; Aug. 26, 2025.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife concludes active removal period to address chronic depredation in Rio Blanco County

August 26, 2025

DENVER – On August 16, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services (WS) deployed a team to Rio Blanco County to lethally remove an uncollared wolf that was determined to be responsible for six depredations in Rio Blanco County in late July and August. CPW and WS located the wolf and attempted to lethally remove the wolf with a firearm on August 16 but were unable to locate the animal due to the dense vegetation and difficult terrain in the area. CPW and WS spent several days systematically gridding the area, dividing the terrain into sections and thoroughly searching each one. After six days of extensive and continued efforts, the team discontinued its search and concluded removal efforts. CPW and WS continue to monitor Rio Blanco County for signs of further wolf activity and there have been no additional depredations or reports of wolf vocalizations since August 16.

CPW’s decision to implement lethal control was made in accordance with applicable legal requirements, including the USFWS 10(j) rule, Parks and Wildlife Commission regulations, and CPW’s administrative directive regarding “Chronic Depredation and Lethal Removal of Depredating Gray Wolves.”

This management decision was a response to six confirmed depredations in Rio Blanco County in late July and August. Of these depredations, three were determined by clear and convincing evidence to have been caused by a wolf with the others being determined by a preponderance of evidence to have been caused by a wolf.

Lethal removal operations in Rio Blanco County were delayed due to active fire behavior on the Elk Fire – which started on August 2. On August 16, decreased fire activity and increased containment lines on the Elk Fire allowed CPW and its agents to safely pursue lethal removal operations without impairing the agency’s ability to support firefighting efforts and producers in Rio Blanco County.

“The decision to pursue lethal actions is never an easy one, but the events in Rio Blanco County met the conditions for chronic depredation that were defined with input from the ad-hoc working group,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “Removal of animals like this is an unfortunate part of wildlife management that is consistent with the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan and our 10(j) rule.”

“CPW remains committed to recovering and maintaining a viable, self-sustaining wolf population in Colorado, while concurrently working to minimize wolf-related conflicts with domestic animals,” Davis said. “We are grateful for the producers in the area who worked constructively with CPW on deployment of multiple non-lethal conflict minimization efforts both prior to and during the series of depredations. These actions are designed to ensure that wolves and packs that are targeting natural prey, such as wild ungulates, serve as the foundation for a sustainable wolf population in Colorado.”

CPW considers four factors when determining whether a situation qualifies for lethal removal of depredating wolves:

documented repeated depredation and harassment of a producer’s livestock or working dogs caused by the wolf, wolves, or pack targeted
use of a variety of non-lethal conflict minimization materials and techniques
likelihood that additional wolf-related depredation will continue if lethal control is or is not implemented
unintentional or intentional use of attractants that may be luring or baiting wolves to the location

Chronology of Depredation Events
A ‘depredation event’ is defined as a 24-hour period in which the Division determines by at least a preponderance of the evidence standard that a wolf or wolves caused physical trauma resulting in injury or death to a producer’s livestock or working dogs.

The timeline of depredation events that prompted this management action is below.

July 20, 2025: one lamb deceased. WS found clear and convincing evidence that indicated the depredation was caused by a gray wolf, which was later confirmed by CPW. This depredation event was on a public land allotment.
July 22, 2025: one lamb deceased. CPW found the preponderance of evidence indicated that the depredation was caused by a gray wolf. This depredation event was on a public land allotment.
August 2, 2025: one ewe deceased. WS found the preponderance of evidence indicated that the depredation was caused by a gray wolf, which was later confirmed by CPW. This depredation event was on public land allotment.
August 16, 2025: three lambs deceased. CPW found clear and convincing evidence indicated that two of these depredations were caused by a gray wolf, with the other being determined by a preponderance of evidence.

Following the depredation event on August 2, 2025, CPW staff immediately began working to determine if lethal removal was legally authorized and appropriate under the circumstances. The determination was made on August 4, 2025, but plans to safely remove the wolf were delayed due to active behavior on the Elk Fire. CPW and its agent first deployed a team to pursue lethal removal on August 16, 2025.

Management Actions Conducted to Deter/Reduce Conflicts
Following the first depredation event on July 20, 2025, CPW coordinated with producers, including local woolgrowers associations, to provide around-the-clock range rider coverage while opportunistically hazing the uncollared wolf. Range riding efforts supplemented existing non-lethal conflict minimization tools already deployed by the producer as determined by a site assessment conducted earlier this year to discourage depredation on the impacted allotments.

In addition to the range riders deployed following the first depredation on July 20, 2025, non-lethal conflict minimization resources utilized by the producer before and during the timeline of depredation included human presence in the form of shepherds, use of working dogs, and deployment of sound scare devices.

CPW will not be sharing specific information concerning the depredation events or the ensuing removal operation. CPW will post a final report on its website once it is completed.

The livestock producer could be eligible for the fair market value of the livestock if claims are submitted. CPW provides reimbursement for damages caused by gray wolves to livestock defined in C.R.S. 33-2-105.8 and animals used for guard/herding purposes and provides conflict minimization materials to livestock producers in affected areas under its Gray Wolf Compensation and Conflict Minimization Program.

It’s important to remember that, unless authorized by state and federal law, killing or injuring a wolf is illegal. There are limited exceptions, such as the taking of a wolf caught in the act of attacking livestock or working dogs by a producer. If a producer is able to show that they killed a wolf caught in the act, a permit can be issued by CPW, which authorizes lethal take retroactively.

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Steamboat Radio News Past Coverage of wolves in Colorado

Aug. 26, 2025 — Search for uncollared wolf in Rio Blanco County is discontinued
Aug. 21, 2025 — Plaster casts have been made of wolf paw prints in Jackson County
Aug. 20, 2025 — Gov. Polis’ office and CPW respond to proposed Wolf Bill in Special Session
Aug. 19, 2025 — Colorado legislators to introduce a bill to put a pause on wolf introductions, to help with the budget
Aug. 9, 2025 — Dead cow discovered by range riders in Pitkin County
Aug. 6, 2025 — Another gray wolf has been killed in Wyoming
August 5, 2025 — CPW confirms uncollared wolf in Rio Blanco County is a “chronic depredator”
July 30, 2025 — Jackson County Rancher says the One Ear Pack has 10 wolves in it
July 27, 2025 — Meet a Colorado Range Rider – Shelby Neiberger
July 24, 2025 — CPW reports wolf activity in this month’s watershed map
July 17, 2025 — CPW updates the four wolf packs in Colorado and settles claims for missing livestock
July 8, 2025 — CPW Commission and staff discuss Copper Creek Pack
July 6, 2025 — Holy Cross Cattlemen ask CPW for Chronic Depredation Permit
July 3, 2025 — CPW Commission receives a new letter about the Copper Creek Pack of wolves
June 30, 2025 — CPW officials discuss wolves at with Colorado State Legislators at State Capitol
June 27, 2025 — CPW releases this year’s Colorado Gray Wolf Annual Report
June 24, 2025 — Colorado Cattlemen hear of new wolf petition being presented to CPW
June 2, 2025 —Another wolf has died
May 30, 2025 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife kills a wolf from the Copper Creek Pack
May 16, 2025 —A gray wolf from British Columbia has died in Northwest Colorado
April 24, 2025 — Another gray wolf from British Columbia has died
April 11, 2025, Media Statement: Colorado Gray Wolf 2513 Mortality in Wyoming
March 29, 2025 — Wolf in Jackson County may be heading to Wyoming
March 28, 2025 — Wolf in Jackson County meets three Livestock Guardian Dogs
March 27, 2025 — Day 12 and the wolf keeps showing up each night at the same Jackson County ranch
March 24, 2025 — Wolf spotted on game cam in Jackson County
March 22, 2025 — Ballot initiative to end wolf introduction by 2026 has been filed
March 20, 2025 — A gray wolf recently introduced to Colorado has been killed in Wyoming
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