Christmas and New Years Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed on December 24, December 25, December 26 and January 1.
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.
Navigate to:
Wolf Depredation
Wolf-livestock conflicts will be addressed on a case-by-case basis using a combination of appropriate management tools, including education, nonlethal conflict minimization techniques, damage payments and lethal take of wolves if determined necessary by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
Stay Informed
Gray Wolf Activity Maps and Confirmed Wolf Depredation Incidents
CPW provides information to the public through 1) monthly map releases indicating where collared wolves have been and 2) a depredation document that is updated to share information about conflict incidents and provide reports on chronic depredation events and lethal removals. These items provide more insight into how wolves are utilizing the landscape and are shared with the public when depredation incidents and/or removals are confirmed.
Collared Gray Wolf Activity Map
CPW’s Collared Gray Wolf Activity Map provides information on where wolves have been in the past 30 days or so. The map is updated with new information on a monthly basis, produced on the fourth Wednesday of every month, and reflects data for the prior month, give or take several days.
Confirmed Wolf Depredation
This document will be updated with the most current information available as incidents are confirmed. Information, such as whether claims have been submitted and any payments for these incidents, may be updated as claims are finalized.
Chronic Depredation Events and Removals
CPW’s definition of chronic depredation explains the investigation process and the requirements for any lethal removal. After CPW confirms a chronic depredation and concludes a removal effort, the final reports will be posted here.
Compensation for Livestock Owners
Livestock producers could be eligible for the fair market value of lost livestock if a claim is submitted. CPW provides reimbursement for damage caused by gray wolves to the following property types:
- Livestock as defined in C.R.S. 33-2-105.8
- Animals used for guard/herding purposes
CPW also provides conflict minimization materials to livestock producers in affected areas under its Gray Wolf Compensation and Conflict Minimization Program.
If a depredation incident is confirmed by CPW:
- Livestock owners can be reimbursed the fair market value of the animal, up to $15,000.
- Livestock owners can also receive reimbursement of veterinarian costs for the treatment of injured livestock or guard/herding animals, up to $15,000.
Once a confirmed wolf depredation occurs to cattle or sheep in large, open range settings where topography and vegetation make it difficult to confirm depredations in a timely manner, livestock owners will have two compensation options:
- A Basic Compensation Ratio option, which provides compensation for missing calves or sheep in larger open range settings and may also cover some production losses.
- An Itemized Production Losses option, which provides compensation for missing calves and sheep as well as indirect losses, including decreased weaning weights, decreased conception rates and other indirect losses on a case-by-case basis.
By statute, revenues from the sale of hunting or fishing license fees will not be used to fund depredation reimbursements. Compensation will come from the General Fund, the Species Conservation Trust Fund, the Colorado Nongame Conservation and Wildlife Restoration Cash Funds, or other sources of funding for nongame species.
Handling Future Wolf Conflicts on Private Land
Conflict minimization and nonlethal measures are CPW's priority when minimizing wolf-livestock conflict. To assist landowners and producers, CPW has created a number of resources and guides for producers which can be found below.
In instances of chronic depredations, owners of livestock must file applications with the appropriate CPW regional office if they seek to injuriously haze or lethally take gray wolves. This includes retroactive authorization for take of wolves caught in the act of attacking livestock or working dogs.
In all instances, a depredating incident must be confirmed before CPW will issue a lethal take permit.
Resources
Wolf-Livestock Conflict Minimization Program - Producer Guide
Find out more
A Producer's Guide to Livestock Depredations
Find out more
Una guía para el productor sobre la depredación del ganado
Descubra más
Wolf Resource Guide
Find out more%20Gu%C3%ADa%20informativ%E2%80%8Ba%20sobre%20el%20lobo%20-%20Gu%C3%ADa%20Informativa%20Y%20Pr%C3%A1ctica%20Para%20Reducir%20La%20Depredaci%C3%B3n%20-%20Cover.png?itok=jH6CkMnJ "Info icon")
Guía informativa sobre el lobo
Descubra másMedia Inquiries about Colorado Wolves
- Luke Perkins
- Statewide Public Information Officer
- 303-392-5789
- [email protected]
Wolf Data Request Limitations
CPW will not provide specific location or specific animal information related to depredation incidents. The CORA exception covering species locations (24-72-204(2)(a)(X)) allows CPW to withhold information that "reveals the specific location or could be used to determine the specific location of . . . an individual animal or group of animals." Learn more from our Wildlife Reporting and Your Privacy fact sheet.