Proposition 114, a ballot initiative directing the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to introduce gray wolves in Colorado west of the Continental Divide, passed on November 3, 2020. The statute directs the CPW Commission to restore and manage gray wolves in Colorado no later than December 31, 2023.
As planning and implementation move forward, CPW is providing various ways for Coloradans to stay informed about, and involved in, the reintroduction process.
Public Engagement Website and Open House Schedule
CPW and Keystone Policy Center have launched wolfengagementco.org - a public engagement website where Coloradans will be able to provide comments via a detailed online comment form throughout July and August, 2021, as well as general comments about the process at any time during the planning process. All comments submitted to the website will require a name, email address, and state/county of residence.
The website also provides dates, locations, and details about public meetings, as well as information about the Stakeholder Advisory Group and Technical Working Group, which are both providing expertise and practical feedback for the restoration and management planning process.
Wolf Reintroduction Educational Sessions
Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to watch recorded educational sessions to learn more about the wolf reintroduction planning process. CPW staff and invited guest speakers presented information about wolves and the wolf management plan to help educate Coloradans about the wolf reintroduction process.
Session 3: Wolf-Livestock Damage Minimization and Compensation
A recording of Session 3 is now available on YouTube.
This educational session provided information on how states like Montana work with agricultural producers to prevent and reduce wolf depredation on livestock and how producers are compensated for losses.
Speakers: Luke Hoffman, CPW Game Damage Coordinator; Nathan Lance, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wolf Management Specialist; George Edwards, Executive Director of the Montana Livestock Loss Board
Session 2: Wolf Reintroduction Logistics and Lessons Learned
A recording of Session 2 is available on YouTube.
Learn about what went into the considerations and the logistics for the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone and Central Idaho in the mid-1990s through real-world experiences about establishing and managing wolves in the Northern Rockies.
Speakers: Ed Bangs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (retired); Mike Jimenez U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (retired)
Session 1: Wolf Management and Wolf-Prey Interactions
A recording of Session 1 is available on YouTube.
Learn about what it means to have wolves on the landscape, how experts from other states approach wolf management and how wildlife experts develop management plans for other species.
Speakers: Diane Boyd, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks(retired); Jon Horne, Idaho Fish and Game
To help contribute to the planning and restoration of gray wolves in Colorado please consider
donating to the effort.
Technical Working Group Members
The Technical Working Group (TWG) will review and contribute expertise towards the development of conservation objectives, management strategies and damage prevention and compensation planning. The members selected for the TWG are:
- Scott Becker - United States Fish and Wildlife Service - Wyoming Wolf Coordinator
- Alan Bitner - Bureau of Land Management - Deputy State Director - Resources
- Stewart Breck - National Wildlife Research Center - Research Wildlife Biologist
- Roblyn Brown - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife - Wolf Program Coordinator
- Wayne East - Colorado Department of Agriculture - Agricultural/Wildlife Liaison
- Justin Gude - Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks - Research and Technical Services Bureau Chief
- Jonathan Houck - Gunnison County Commissioner
- Mike Jimenez - USFWS retired
- Merrit Linke - Grand County Commissioner
- Steve Lohr - United States Forest Service - Renewable Resources Director Rocky Mountain Region
- Martin Lowney - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - State Director
- Carter Niemeyer - USFWS retired
- Eric Odell - Colorado Parks and Wildlife - Species Conservation Program Manager
- Mike Phillips - Rocky Mountain Wolf Project
- John Sanderson - Center for Collaborative Conservation - CSU - Director
- Doug Smith National Park Service - Project Leader Yellowstone/Jennifer Carpenter -Associate Regional Director for Resource Stewardship and Science
- Robin Young - Colorado State University Extension Service - Extension Agent
Stakeholder Advisory Group Members
The Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) will provide a range of viewpoints from diverse geographic areas of the state and propose considerations for the plans developed by the TWG. The members selected for the SAG are:
- Matt Barnes (W) - Dolores
- Donald Broom (W) - Craig
- Jenny Burbey (W) - Hesperus
- Bob Chastain - Colorado Springs
- Renee Deal (W) - Somerset
- Adam Gall (W) - Paonia
- Dan Gates - Canon City
- John Howard (W) - Grand Junction
- Francie Jacober (W) - Carbondale
- Lenny Klingesmith (W) - Meeker
- Darlene Kobobel - Divide
- Tom Kourlis - Castle Rock
- Brian Kurzel - Denver
- Hallie Mahowald (W) - Salida
- Jonathan Proctor - Denver
- Gary Skiba (W) - Durango
- Steve Whiteman, Ignacio
- Dan Gibbs - Executive Director, DNR (Ex-Officio)
- Kate Greenberg - Commissioner of Agriculture, CDA (Ex-Officio)
- Dan Prenzlow - Director, CPW (Ex-Officio)
School/Educator Requests
The gray wolf reintroduction process has provided a unique educational opportunity for students to learn about wildlife management and wolves.
Educators may fill out this form to request Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff participation in school programs at least 3 weeks in advance of the requested program date. CPW Education staff will respond with our ability to support your classroom program as soon as possible.
Gray Wolf Reintroduction eNews now available
As the agency begins the planning and implementation process for reintroducing Gray Wolves to the state, we are dedicated to keeping the public informed and engaged throughout the process.
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