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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.

About Gray Wolves

A wolf is released in Colorado from a kennel

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.

About Gray Wolves

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    Wolf Depredation

    Wolf-livestock conflicts will be addressed on a case-by-case basis using a combination of appropriate management tools, including education, non-lethal conflict minimization techniques, damage payments and lethal take of wolves if determined necessary by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

    Gray Wolf Activity Maps and Confirmed Wolf Depredation Incidents

    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides information to the public through monthly map releases indicating where collared wolves have been, and a depredation document that is updated to share information about these conflict incidents. These items provide more insight into how new wolves are utilizing the landscape and to share with the public when depredation incidents are confirmed.  

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    ​​​Collared Gray Wolf Activity Map

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife’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.​

    Find out more
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    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.​ ​​

    Find out more

    Compensation for Livestock Owners

    Livestock producers could be eligible for the fair market value of the livestock if a claim is submitted. CPW provides reimbursement for damages caused by gray wolves:

    • to livestock defined in C.R.S. 33-2-105.8 
    • To animals used for guard/herding purposes
    • To provide conflict minimization materials to livestock producers in affected areas under its Gray Wolf Compensation and Conflict Minimization Program.
      Compensation Options

      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.
         
      How is Compensation Funded?

      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 non-game species.

      Handling Future Wolf Conflicts on Private Land

      Conflict minimization and nonlethal measures are the priority means to prevent wolf-livestock conflict. In incidents of chronic depredations, owners of livestock must file applications with CPW if they seek to injuriously or lethally take gray wolves, including for authorization for take of wolves caught in the act of attacking livestock or working dogs. A depredating incident must be confirmed before CPW will issue a lethal take permit.

      The following materials have been created to assist landowners and producers:


       

      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.