The return of the gray wolf to Colorado is a landmark moment in conservation history, marking the first time a state used a public vote to mandate the reintroduction of an extirpated native species. This active restoration program aims to establish a permanent, self-sustaining population of Canis lupus on the state’s Western Slope, decades after the animals were systematically removed. The effort balances the ecological goal of restoring an apex predator with the practical challenges of coexisting with human communities and livestock producers. This multi-year reintroduction began with a carefully managed initial release designed to meet the requirements of the voter-approved initiative.
The Initial Release Numbers and Source Locations
The initial phase of the gray wolf reintroduction saw the release of exactly ten animals onto Colorado soil in December 2023. These wolves were translocated in two groups between December 18 and December 22, fulfilling the state’s statutory obligation to begin the program by the end of the year. They were released onto public lands primarily located within Summit and Grand counties on the Western Slope.
The ten wolves—six females and four males—were sourced from Oregon under an agreement between Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Prior to relocation, each wolf underwent a thorough health evaluation. The released animals were a mix of yearlings and adults, selected specifically to maximize the likelihood of their survival and ability to hunt immediately.
This initial release is the first step in a larger management plan that anticipates releasing between ten and fifteen wolves annually for three to five years. This staggered approach aims to establish a viable population of approximately 30 to 50 wolves over the first five years. For the second phase, scheduled for the following winter, CPW secured an agreement to source up to fifteen additional wolves from the central interior of British Columbia.
The Mandate for Reintroduction
The reintroduction was a direct result of a narrow victory at the ballot box in November 2020. This conservation effort was driven by voters who approved Proposition 114, which passed with 50.91 percent support.
The passage of Proposition 114 was historic, making Colorado the first state where the electorate mandated the reintroduction of a wildlife species. The initiative became a state statute requiring the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (CPW) to develop a plan for the species’ reestablishment. This plan had to focus on areas west of the Continental Divide, where suitable habitat and prey exist.
The mandate required CPW to begin the reintroduction process no later than December 31, 2023. This timeline forced the agency to quickly develop a comprehensive restoration and management plan, finalized after extensive public input and scientific review. The legal requirement also directed the state to manage a fund for compensating livestock owners for losses attributed to the reintroduced wolves.
Ongoing Monitoring and Conflict Resolution
Following the release, the management strategy shifted to intensive monitoring and conflict mitigation to support the wolves and address concerns from the agricultural community. Every wolf released was fitted with a GPS satellite collar, essential for tracking the animals’ movements, dispersal patterns, and survival rates. This collar data allows biologists to monitor the population’s health and identify core activity areas as the wolves establish territory.
Initial tracking data showed the ten wolves dispersed across a wide area of the Western Slope, covering thousands of square miles across multiple counties. CPW aims to keep at least one collared wolf in any established pack to maintain a clear picture of the growing population. This tracking helps managers understand how the wolves are interacting with existing wildlife and where potential conflicts may arise.
A major component of the management plan is the comprehensive conflict resolution system designed to coexist with the state’s livestock industry. The mandate requires the state to provide fair compensation to ranchers for livestock confirmed to have been killed by gray wolves. CPW also supports non-lethal conflict reduction techniques, including providing resources for fladry—a type of temporary fencing—and funding for range riders who monitor herds.
The state established a clear process for evaluating and responding to conflicts. This includes defining chronic depredation and the specific conditions under which lethal removal of a wolf may be considered. This framework offers producers a variety of tools, from financial compensation to non-lethal deterrents, while creating a clear process for management when conflicts escalate.