Defenders Backs Colorado, Calls on Federal Government to Push Onward with Gray Wolf Reintroduction

Defenders of Wildlife sent a comment letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today in response to a public request for information, urging continued support from the federal government for the Colorado gray wolf reintroduction program, citing early progress and the importance of completing the initial reintroduction phase. The comment letter highlights some early successes for Colorado’s program. The program was initiated through a federal rule finalized by FWS in 2023 to establish a “nonessential experimental population” of wolves under Section 10(j) of the ESA. Under the program, the population is to be managed collaboratively by FWS and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. In its letter, Defenders recommitted its ongoing support to the agencies and the recovery of gray wolves in Colorado.

“The Colorado wolf reintroduction program has only been active for two and a half years, yet already shows signs of what’s possible when agencies, producers and conservation organizations approach recovery with collaboration at top of mind,” said Kaitie Schneider, Rockies and Plains Representative at Defenders of Wildlife. “We are seeing not only successful pack formation and reproduction, but also a steady increase in the use of tools and strategies that minimize wolf-livestock conflict, and the results are starting to pay off for both people and wolves.”

Defenders works directly with producers in Colorado to strategize and implement ways to reduce their risk of wolf conflict. Defenders also funds and deploys livestock protection measures like temporary electric fencing, scare devices and range riders, in partnership with agency staff and local ranchers. 

CPW is achieving early signs of ecological success, though biologists agree that at least one additional translocation of 10-15 wolves remains critical to long-term recovery and fulfilling the goals of the state's Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.

Colorado’s wolf reintroduction law mandates both restoring the essential carnivore and providing support to minimize conflicts with agriculture. CPW fulfills this mandate by administering one of the country's most comprehensive compensation programs for wolf-related livestock losses, as well as an extensive conflict minimization program with dedicated staff and a growing array of non-lethal tools. 

“The breadth of collaboration behind Colorado's wolf program reflects a shared commitment across sectors to make restoration work for both wildlife and the people who live alongside them,” Schneider added.

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