By Shannon Lukens.
Elected officials were very harsh with the Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife at a presentation at the state capitol Wednesday. The hearing was with members of the Joint Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources and House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee, which is chaired by Representative Karen McCormick (House District 11 – Boulder)
Elected officials demanded answers about why no one was told before the wolves were released on Dec. 18 (landowners, elected officials both local and statewide, media). They wanted to know about wolves that were chronic depredators in Oregon and why they were brought to Colorado. They say trust was lost with local ranchers and landowners because of the way it was handled.
We took notes of the meeting. You can listen to the portion about the wolves with the audio soundbite below. Specific comments and soundbites from different officials are also below, with a time code of where the comment can be heard.
Link to Listen to the Committee Hearing
Colorado House Committee Members
Colorado Senate Committee Members
Smart Act Joint Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources and House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee Hearing; Jan. 24, 2024.
The audio begins with Director of Department of Natural Resources Dan Gibbs speaking.
1:17 Dan Gibbs says they did not meet the expectations of the release. “My sincere apologies for not getting that right.” He also said no depredations have occurred in Colorado from the reintroduced wolves.
2:15 Dan Gibbs says, “We can learn from our mistakes.” They are doing an After Action Review that is being finalized and they appreciate everyone’s feedback.
Director Gibbs said no depredations have occurred from the reintroduced wolves.
06:29 Senator Dylan Roberts (Senate District 8 – Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, Summit) started with the questions. He questioned why wolves were chosen from packs in Oregon that had recent depredations. He reminded CPW that they testified that the wolves they were going for wouldn’t have a history of depredation.
08:53 CPW Director Jeffrey Davis said, “I think sometimes people forget that these are carnivores. There’s a fallacy that if we were to go get wolves from a place like a wilderness that has never seen livestock that they would never depredate on livestock and I think that’s a fallacy.” Davis said there is a difference between depredation and chronic depredation.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Executive Management Team
11:22 Senator Roberts questioned Reid DeWalt, the Assistant Director of CPW, on his previous testimony about making sure stakeholders knew when and where the wolves were being released. Roberts said, “I was heartened to hear your testimony that day where you said comments such as regarding the notification of people in the surrounding area, ‘And the hope would be that the day of we call them and say we are releasing wolves in this area so it won’t be like a surprise. They’ll know that they’re in the area. We’ll do our best to make sure they know. Those relationships are super valuable to us with those landowners. We’re not going to pull a gotcha or surprise on anyone.'” Senator Roberts then asked if Grand County Commissioners were notified that the release was about to happen. DeWalt said they were notified after it happened, but that they knew it was going to happen there from previous meetings.
(12:33) Roberts asked about county or town employees of Grand County being notified before reintroduction. DeWalt said, “I am unaware that that happened.”
(12:39) Roberts said, “And most importantly, were any landowners or ranchers that you referred to in your Sept. 12 testimony notified prior to the release on Dec. 18?”
(12:53) DeWalt said, “I am unaware that that happened. I personally notified the state director of the BLM which is one of the major landowners close to where that release happened.”
(13:02) Senator Roberts said, “So is it fair to say that the testimony that you gave on Sept. 12 didn’t accurately reflect what actually happened on Dec. 18 as far as notification?” DeWalt said some of the testimony was accurate and some did not “accurately reflect the communication.”
(13:25) Senator Roberts asked why no local reporters were invited that day, for the release.
(13:38) Director Gibbs said it was decided to have pool reporters so they reached out to the Colorado Broadcasters Association (Editor’s note — Colorado Broadcasters Association says for newspaper and online media, of which you have to pay to join). One person was from radio, one from Associated Press, and the other was from the Western Slope (Jason Blevins from The Colorado Sun, based in Eagle County).
(15:22) Senator Roberts asked about the cost of getting the wolves from Oregon and the tribe in Washington. DeWalt said no charge, but that there are fees with the helicopter contracts.
(16:00) Senator Roberts said, “In our communities where this has now happened, there seems to be an extreme loss of trust and collaboration that used to exist between residents and CPW. And of course this is controversial, and I agree with your comments about keeping your staff safe. That is not anything that I think is invalid. But there does seem to be a disconnect with what was promised and what happened, and when that happens, people lose trust. I’ve heard from constituents of mine across my district and I know others on the panel have as well that they are going to close their gates. They don’t want to work with CPW officers anymore. They feel that there was a directive sent from higher up that those CPW officers couldn’t talk to anybody about this, they can’t talk to them about what the state is doing moving forward and that’s a concern. We need that local collaboration between private landowners, between outfitters, between both elected and non-elected officials and your department. Do you agree that there has been a huge loss of trust as a result of what happened on Dec. 18 both leading up to and after, and if so, what is your department doing to fix that?”
(17:22) Director Gibbs talked about the challenges to CPW staff about implementing Proposition 114. He said they feel like criminals for implementing 114. Gibbs said they will work on their After Action Review to help support staff. He said it is accurate that landowners were willing to work with them that are now telling their staff that they don’t want to work with them anymore, “and that’s painful.”
(18:38) Director Gibbs said, “We recognize that we have a lot of work to do to work with stakeholders to repair relationships.” He said, “We need to have trust. We need to be responsive, and we’re learning.”
(19:20) Representative Meghan Lukens of House District 26 (Routt, Moffat, Eagle and Rio Blanco counties) told of how this is so important to her district. She said wolves haven’t been reintroduced to her district but they have been sighted in Routt County.
(19:46) Rep. Lukens said, “The video of the wolves being released, seen across the Western Slope, was very hard and a very scary video for folks to see in my district.”
(20:12) Rep. Lukens added, “I understand that there will be 15 more wolves reintroduced in the coming years. On behalf of House District 26, please do not release more wolves on the Western Slope. I know that’s not part of the plan, but I just wanted to say that.”
(20:25) Rep. Lukens spoke of the pool reporters at the release and how many rural, Western Slope journalists were left out. And that even if they weren’t included in the release, they were not sent the press releases from the pool reporters. (Editor’s Note: This was the case with Steamboat Radio News. We were not included. When we DID find out about the pool reports, we asked for them and we were questioned by Colorado News Collaborative, “Would you please share more about yourself? Are you a Colorado journalist, or working with an outlet in Colorado?”).
(21:00) Rep. Lukens asked for the definition of Chronic Depredation, specifically for the wolves in Jackson County. Director Davis said CPW will review other states with wolves and figure out their criteria for chronic depredation. He then went on to say that they could have put five more wolves out this year, but they didn’t do that, out of concern for health and well being of his staff and the animals that they did release. He went on to talk about rebuilding trust. He’ll go to livestock meetings. He’ll listen and understand. He says they want to avoid and minimize conflict with livestock.
(24:30) Rep. Lukens asked about tracking devices and how ranchers will be alerted that wolves are nearby and they can protect their livestock.
(25:00) Asst. Director DeWalt spoke that all wolves have a GPS collar on them. They tell CPW where they have been every four hours. Then it downloads to their computer so they can see where they have been. You can’t tell where they are. All wolves will be collared, but offspring won’t.
(26:00) Asst. Director DeWalt spoke of the new Wolf Tracking Map that “shows the location of all wolves in Colorado.” It is a monthly update, on the fourth Wednesday of every month. It uses the GPS collar data of the 12 wolves in Colorado. Sometimes the information can be delayed because of cloud cover, “but it is pretty amazing that we have this capability.” He says, “Our staff can learn where they have been but we cannot tell where they are at the current point in time and we cannot predict where they will go.” He says the specific GPS data will not be shared.
(28:10) Asst. Director DeWalt explains the map and the watersheds, and how the wolves use the geographic features, and how agriculture producers can be notified.
(29:00) The map indicates one GPS point in the watershed. But it doesn’t necessarily indicate current wolf activity. He says wolves have not gone south of I-70, but that is how their mapping works. He says they will have to buffer the maps to avoid specific sites of dens.
From Steamboat Radio News: There is now a map that Colorado Parks and Wildlife says you can see the general areas inhabited by gray wolves in Colorado. It includes the City of Steamboat Springs and all of South Routt, over east of Walden, up to Wyoming, and south to I-70. CPW says it will only be updated once a month. They say it will only show the “watershed” areas where the 12 collared wolves have been. The watershed that includes Steamboat Springs is 289 square miles. CPW was very careful to say that just because the map indicates wolf activity in an area, it doesn’t mean wolves are in the entire watershed area or they are there right now.
(31:00) Representative Richard Holtorf from the Eastern Plains (House District 63 – Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, Yuma) spoke next. “For the record, your wolf release was a dismal failure for Colorado ranchers, and for county commissioners and the communities where these wolves are right now habiting based on that map, and where they will move to. Understand that. It will be near impossible for you to win back the trust of Colorado ranchers.”
(31:40) Rep. Holtorf said, “A wolf is an apex predator that wants to kill. And cattle and calves are an easy target.” He asked how they will win back the trust?
(32:28) Rep. Holtorf said, “The fact that you have to remind us that a wolf is a carnivore is laughable. We saw the pictures of the wolf that was released and it’s exactly what we’re getting — a vicious animal that kills, in some cases for sport.”
(32:45) Rep. Holtorf spoke of raising sheep. If a dog ever killed sheep and got the taste of blood of sheep, they had to kill that dog, “because it would not stop. You had to put the dog down.” He told CPW to look at the Wyoming model.
(33:13) He said that CPW brought in wolves from Oregon that have are known depredators, “They came into Colorado knowing the taste of blood, and you have put every rancher in jeopardy. It’s your responsibility to vent that.”
(33:30) Rep. Holtorf said ranchers are not happy, and he is not happy because he is a rancher, even though he lives in the Eastern Plains. He said a wolf can travel 70-100 miles in a few days, “How long is it going to take them to my backyard.”
(33:50) Rep. Holtorf wanted to speak of mental health for the ranchers, and he wants funding for mental health for the ranchers, “because we can only take so much.” He added, “This isn’t some fuzzy little bunny that we just released in the backyard.”
(36:45) DNR Director Gibbs said they are working with the agriculture community.
(39:30) Representative Matt Soper (House District 54 – Delta and Mesa counties) spoke about the $27.9 billion dollar tourism industry in Colorado and $20B ag industry. He asked Director Gibbs how those recreating (“hiking, climbing mountains, and exploring the great outdoors”)can be safe, if they find themselves in conflict with wolves. He was also concerned about those from out of state who don’t know about wolves.
(41:00) Director Gibbs said he would have no problem with backpacking and camping with his family. He believes wolves on the ground will not have an impact on tourism and outdoor recreation. He said we need to start thinking about how we live with wolves, moose, bears, and mountain lions. “How do we coexist?” He said CPW has good fact sheets on their website.
(44:10) Senator Byron Pelton (Senate District 1 from eastern Colorado -Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, Yuma) spoke to the committee and asked if anyone is thinking of the well being of the livestock. He spoke of growing up raising cattle and protecting that livestock. “It’s your income and your livelihood, but you don’t want to see them suffer.”
(45:12) Senator Pelton said, “When you put a rancher in a situation where he has to watch his animal be attacked, are you guys going to allow that rancher to be able to protect his livestock to being attacked?” He asked how many animals have to go down?
(45:45) Director Davis said in the 10J Rule that a rancher can legally remove the wolf if they see it attacking their livestock, if caught in the act. Senator Pelton said it happens at night because that’s when wolves hunt at night, but it is illegal for someone to hunt at night. “Can we protect our animals as well?”
(45:28) Director Davis said they are going through that question right now with the Attorney General right now. Senator Pelton said if there is any legislation that would help with that to come see him because he would love to run that bill.
(46:58) Representative Marc Catlin (House District 58 – Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel) asked where the next place is that CPW is going to put wolves?
(47:15) Director Davis said they are still in lots of conversations about where, in the northern bubble or southern bubble. He said, “We have been in ongoing conversations with the Gunnison Livestock growers. We have two tribes, as you know, that are very concerned and paying attention to where those future releases will go.”
(47:40) Rep. Catlin thanked him for answering and said, “Gunnison believes they are next.” He says they are suffering from lack of trust, “something fierce.” He stressed advance notice.
(48:12) Rep. Catlin said, “They need to know. They need to know as quickly as they can and they need to be notified. And I’m going to ask straight out. Will you take that upon yourself to notify that grower group in the Gunnison Country, because it’s a big deal.” He added that this is the best place for CPW to start rebuilding trust because they’re feeling left out.
(48:50) Rep. Catlin asked about the expense of it.
(50:10) Director Davis spoke about future releases. He said they told ranchers about the window of the upcoming releases. He said they’ll do a better job in future releases.
(53:10) Representative Elizabeth Velasco (represents House District 57 Garfield and Pitkin, and parts of Eagle) spoke of tribal leaders that concerns about communication, notification, engagement, and the lands that they manage in Gunnison County and how they weren’t being involved enough in wolf reintroduction.
(54:30) Representative Matthew Martinez (House District 62 — Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Huerfano, Mineral, Pueblo, Rio Grande, Saguache) asked about how much as been spent on resources. Director Davis said he will get back to him.
(1:06:15) Senator Roberts gave a wrap up.
Steamboat Radio News Past Coverage of wolves in Colorado
- 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. 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