Colorado faces uncertainty in gray wolf reintroduction efforts

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) faces uncertainty regarding its gray wolf reintroduction program as the winter season approaches. The agency’s management plan, mandated by voters, aims to release 30 to 50 wolves within the first three to five years to establish a self-sustaining population. While the program successfully released 25 wolves from Oregon and British Columbia during its first two years, a change in federal direction halted planned releases from British Columbia during the third winter.

Currently, CPW has not identified a source population for translocations for the 2026-2027 winter. The agency noted that future timing and numbers depend on securing a source and successful capture efforts. Additionally, the program faces new financial hurdles; lawmakers have requested that CPW not use its $2.1 million general fund allocation for bringing new wolves to the state, meaning the agency must rely on grants, donations, and non-license revenue to fund capture and release efforts.