CPW Commission gets another letter asking to pause wolf reintroduction

October 8, 2024 Shannon Lukens

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By Shannon Lukens. (File photo from December 2023, from Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

A new letter has been sent to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, asking the agency for a “temporary hiatus” before reintroducing more wolves until a few changes are made.

The latest letter (shown below) is from Colorado Counties, Inc., which represents 63 out of 64 counties in Colorado. The only county not in CCI is Denver.

The letter says the reintroduction of wolves should be paused to “protect the interests of impacted communities, livestock producers, and wildlife.”

CCI has a list of concerns including not enough time to prepare producers and rural communities, a cost of $5 million instead of the original estimate of $800K, better evaluation of non-lethal measures, the development of a Range Rider program, and a definition of “chronic depredation.”

CCI says to temporarily pause more introductions until more staff can be hired for conflict management and investigations of livestock depredations, more education and communication with livestock producers, evaluation and testing of alternative non-lethal measures, funding for a Range Rider program, and better dialogue with CPW on future releases.

The letter from Kelly Flenniken, the Executive Director of Colorado Counties, Inc., is one more request of CPW to take a break from wolf reintroduction. The CPW Commission also has a petition request signed by 26 ag producing organizations across the state.

Here is what Tim Ritschard, president of Middle Park Stockgrowers, told the CPW Commission at the Oct. 3 meeting in Denver.

“I just really hope the CPW commission takes up our petition so we can have a pause to figure out some of our stuff that’s going on before we have more wolves on the ground and we have the same issue again.”

Commission Chair Dallas May said the Commission has a procedure for the petition. It will be handled in the “most fair and respectable way that we can.”

October 7, 2024

Colorado Parks & Wildlife
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216

Dear Director Davis, Chair May, and Members of the Parks & Wildlife Commission:

Colorado Counties, Inc.’s (CCI’s) members have sought frequent updates regarding the status of wolf reintroduction and management. We understand and appreciate the complexity and dedication involved in this work as Colorado seeks to comply with Proposition 114, and we are particularly grateful for CPW’s decision to relocate the Copper Creek pack in response to community feedback and concerns.

However, it is because of these complexities that we request that Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) implement a temporary hiatus in reintroduction efforts to ensure all matters outlined below are in place before the introduction of additional wolves, in order to protect the interests of impacted communities, livestock producers, and wildlife. Such a delay would uphold CPW’s mandate to continue wolf reintroduction efforts while providing adequate time to ensure future efforts do not create disproportionate harm.

Since the initial wolf release in 2023, several concerns have been raised that require urgent attention:

Time for Preparation: Because Proposition 114 mandated the reintroduction of wolves by December 31, 2023, CPW has had limited time to plan, staff, and educate impacted stakeholders about the realities of living with wolves. Without sufficient communication and training, producers and rural communities are left vulnerable to livestock depredation and its consequences. A delay in further reintroductions would provide time for these efforts. Given the reality that wolves will either be relocated, or simply travel to new communities, a hiatus will lessen the negative impacts that communities have experienced. Ideally, these negative impacts will be a learning opportunity for CPW and future host communities.
Underestimated Costs & Resources: While Proposition 114 originally estimated the program’s costs at $800,000 annually, it has already required $5 million to date, and current funding levels remain insufficient. Given the status of the state budget, it seems unlikely that the funding challenges will be resolved this fiscal year. Additionally, counties across Colorado recognize and appreciate the need for more resources and believe CPW should be provided increased funding to most effectively manage this complex initiative.
Evaluation of Non-Lethal Measures: Because there is disagreement about appropriate use of lethal and non-lethal methods of preventing livestock depredation, it is important that non-lethal methods be adequately tested across Colorado’s diverse agricultural landscapes. These methods should be tailored to specific conditions, properly evaluated, and communicated effectively to ranchers and producers to ensure success over time. This evaluation should not be conducted at the cost of ranchers’ livelihoods today. A pause would provide more time to effectively evaluate methods of preventing depredations.
Range Rider Program Development: A well-funded, well-staffed, and well-trained Range Rider program is essential to protect livestock from wolf predation. This program must be implemented and operational at scale before any further wolf introductions occur.
Unresolved Definitions & Metrics: The Wolf Plan as adopted still does not clearly define key terms such as “chronic depredation” or provide concrete goals for what constitutes a successful reintroduction in terms of wolf packs or population targets. It is appropriate for these definitions and metrics to be determined, widely communicated, and understood before further introductions take place.

Given these challenges, CCI respectfully requests the Commission temporarily pause further wolf introductions to allow full implementation of:

1. Hiring and training additional staff for conflict management and livestock depredation investigations.
2. Comprehensive education and communication with livestock producers on managing wolf conflicts.
3. Evaluation and testing of alternative non-lethal measures in different environmental conditions.
4. Range Rider funding to accommodate the program at geographical scale.
5. Transparent and collaborative dialogue as CPW determines future release areas and wolf management plan, including precise definitions of chronic depredation and success metrics for reintroduction.

We appreciate the Commission’s commitment to balancing the reintroduction of wolves with the protection of Colorado’s agricultural producers and wildlife as it complies with Proposition 114. A thoughtful and measured approach that ensures all necessary tools and resources are in place to mitigate conflicts is critical for successful wolf reintroduction that minimizes harm to our citizens and livestock producers.

We appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to your continued collaboration on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Kelly Flenniken
Executive Director
Colorado Counties, Inc.

CC: Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources

Steamboat Radio News Past Coverage of wolves in Colorado

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