By Shannon Lukens

The four livestock producers on the Ad Hoc Wolf Working Group, set up by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, have sent a last-minute letter to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, asking them to accept the Wolf Citizen Petition. That petition was a letter initiated by Middle Park Stockgrowers last September, with 25 other mostly agricultural groups signing on in support, along with 63 of Colorado’s 64 counties in Colorado Counties. Inc. They all asked for a pause in wolf introductions into the state until certain criteria is met.

The CPW Commission meets on Jan. 8 and 9 at their offices at 6060 Broadway in Denver. A Wolf Program Update is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, followed by discussion of the Wolf Citizen petition, led by Executive Director Jeff Davis. He has said he recommends the CPW Commission reject the petition, and proceed with introduction. The commission will discuss and vote at 3:55 p.m.

Meeting Details

Meeting Agenda

Steamboat Radio News has received a copy of the letter tonight. Here is the letter, which was sent to the CPW Commission and Executive Director Jeff Davis on Jan. 6.

 

January 6th, 2025

Dear Commissioners,

We, the 4 representatives of livestock producers on the Ad Hoc Wolf working group, are urging the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (the “Commission”) to reject the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife’s (the “Division”) recommended denial of the citizen petition filed on September 27, 2024, by 26 agriculture organizations requesting a delay in further wolf introductions (the “Petition”). That Petition was unanimously endorsed by Colorado Counties Inc., which is comprised of 63 of Colorado’s 64 counties. Given the breadth and depth of support for the Petition’s request—which spans the entire State of Colorado—the Commission should vote “yes” on the Petition and give the Petitioners a chance to be heard. In the meantime, the Division should be ordered to pause introductions pending the outcome of the rulemaking hearing.

Voting “yes” on the Petition is not the same thing as adopting a rule that delays further wolf introductions. A “yes” vote would simply allow the Commissioners to conduct a rulemaking hearing on the Petition’s proposed regulation. Further wolf introductions would be temporarily delayed pending the outcome of that rulemaking. The Commission needs to listen to all stakeholders and undertake a robust, transparent rulemaking that results in a workable, binding definition and addresses each of the seven conditions set forth in the Petition. If coexistence with wolves is going to succeed in Colorado, stakeholders who are directly impacted by wolves must have their concerns addressed in a proper public process.

The introduction of gray wolves to the State of Colorado has been a very challenging process for all involved, including Division staff. The costs associated with this process—including direct and indirect costs incurred by livestock producers impacted by wolves—far exceeded the planned and budgeted expenses. Breakdowns in communication and a lack of transparency—among other things—has created a rift between the Division and rural communities of the Western Slope that will be challenging to repair. We see this vote as a good first step. For the wolves themselves it has created an unwinnable situation and hardship for these animals.

Some ranchers’ financial viability and the future of their businesses are now at risk, based in part on the State’s preparedness of the introduction. Several impacted ranchers have faced significant stress related health challenges during this trying time. Local Division staff have been impacted mentally and faced enormous personal difficulties during this time.

We are asking the Commission to grant the Petition at this week’s Commission meeting, so that it can hold a rulemaking hearing to facilitate a robust, transparent discussion with all stakeholders. This topic is too vital and critical to be addressed at this week’s hearing in just five minutes by Director Davis, as is currently set forth in the Commission’s agenda for Wednesday. This topic has far reaching consequences and impacts that will stretch decades into the future for all Coloradoans and its wildlife populations.

Respectfully,

Paul Bruchez

Steve Raftopoulos

Lenny Klinglesmith

Philip Anderson

 

Steamboat Radio News Past Coverage of wolves in Colorado

• 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