Defenders Responds to Highly Anticipated U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rule for Colorado Wolf Reintroduction

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday released its highly anticipated final Environmental Impact Statement and draft Record of Decision on the Colorado gray wolf reintroduction 10(j) rule. After a 30-day public comment period, a final Record of Decision and reintroduction rule are expected to be issued in mid-November.

“We commend the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for taking an important step toward Colorado’s goal of reintroducing gray wolves to the state,” said Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife. “We look forward to working with the state and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the coming weeks to ensure the regulatory framework that will govern management and protection of reintroduced wolves will allow them to survive and thrive in Colorado.”

The release of the rule comes after the 2020 passage of Proposition 114, a ballot measure requiring the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to create a plan to reintroduce gray wolves in the state by the end of 2023. Earlier this year, the Commission finalized its plan to release about 30 to 50 wolves total over a three to five year time frame in the western part of the state. The state requested that the USFWS prepare a rule under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act to govern the management and protection of the reintroduced wolves.