Wolves in Colorado
Proposition 114, now state statute 33-2-105.8, passed on November 3, 2020. It directed the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to introduce and manage gray wolves in Colorado west of the Continental Divide no later than December 31, 2023. Ten wolves were reintroduced to the state in December, 2023 as part of this plan.
Wolves in Colorado
Proposition 114, now state statute 33-2-105.8, passed on November 3, 2020. It directed the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to introduce and manage gray wolves in Colorado west of the Continental Divide no later than December 31, 2023. Ten wolves were reintroduced to the state in December, 2023 as part of this plan.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff capture gray wolves in Oregon
Wolf Reintroduction
Bringing Wolves Back to Colorado
Proposition 114, now state statute 33-2-105.8, passed on November 3, 2020. It directed the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to introduce and manage gray wolves in Colorado west of the Continental Divide no later than December 31, 2023.
Colorado's First Successful Wolf Release
Between December 18 - 21, 2023, Colorado Parks and Wildlife experts captured 10 gray wolves in Oregon and released them onto public land in Summit and Grand counties in a historic effort to create a permanent, self-sustaining wolf population and fulfill a voter approved initiative to re-establish gray wolves in Colorado.
Partnership with Oregon
A one-year agreement announced in October 2023 between Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife secured Oregon as the source for the first 10 wolves for the Colorado wolf reintroduction effort. The agreement was key to helping ensure CPW could meet its statutory mandate to begin releasing wolves in Colorado by December 31, 2023.
Find out moreCapturing the Wolves
The gray wolves were captured in Oregon, where Colorado Parks and Wildlife veterinarians and biologists evaluated them to determine if they were fit for relocation to Colorado. Criteria for release included the age, sex, health and body condition of each animal.
Releasing Wolves
- Where will the Wolves Come From?
- When will Releases Happen?
- Where will Releases Happen?
- What about Mexican Wolves?
- Moving from the Release Site
- Tracking and Monitoring Released Wolves
- Funding the Restoration
Where will the Wolves Come From?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife plans to bring wolves from the northern Rockies, with assistance from other state wildlife management agencies.
Once captured, wolves will be treated and vaccinated as appropriate and determined by veterinarians, and will then be transported to Colorado where they will be taken to the release areas and the transport crates will be opened.
Featured Resource
Wolf-Livestock Conflict Minimization Program Guide
The Wolf-Livestock Conflict Minimization Program Guide provides information on a variety of tools and methods available for livestock producers to employ in efforts to reduce the likelihood of wolf-livestock conflicts and establishes a framework for CPW’s response, along with available support from other state, federal and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
First Annual Report
Colorado Gray Wolf Annual Report
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has published its first annual report that documents the status of gray wolves, wolf management, wolf monitoring, research related to wolves, and education and outreach in Colorado during the biological year April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024. Please note, events that have happened since March 31 will be included in next year’s annual report.
This report provides a great summary of both the work our agency is doing, but also how we're working with other agencies like the Colorado Department of Agriculture to assist agricultural producers in reducing wolf-livestock depredations. - CPW Director Jeff Davis
Help Support Wolves in Colorado
To help contribute to the planning and restoration of gray wolves in Colorado, please consider donating to the effort.
Public Engagement
Get Involved in Wolf Restoration
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has created EngageCPW, a public engagement website to provide Coloradans with opportunities for public engagement on agency management topics, including the wolf reintroduction planning process. All comments submitted to the website require a name, email address, and state/county of residence.