Western wolf update: Groups call for changes to wolf reintroduction policy
Wolf reintroduction has been a topic of tension in Colorado and surrounding states since 2020. Recently, two separate citizens’ petitions have been filed in Colorado calling for a reevaluation of wolf policy. One recommends delaying reintroduction efforts until 2026, while the other calls to put an end to wolf reintroduction entirely.
Wolf reintroduction
Reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado began with a citizen-led ballot initiative called Proposition 114 in 2020. Since 2023, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has imported 25 wolves which have continued to establish packs and reproduce throughout the state.
In July 2025, CPW officials announced plans to release more wolves in the winter of 2025-26. Starting in January 2026, up to 15 wolves would be released throughout southwest Colorado under this plan.
An Aug. 6 article in the Coloradoan written by Miles Blumhardt reports a total of 10 wolves have died since the beginning of reintroduction efforts in 2023, and seven of those deaths have occurred in 2025 alone. Deaths have been caused by a number of factors, including legal and illegal killings, as well as conflicts with other wolves and predators.
CPW has employed lethal removal tactics in multiple situations involving depredation of livestock by wolves. This increased mortality rate, among other factors, has led groups to once again call for a reevaluation of wolf policy.
Citizen petition
According to a Sept. 12 Aspen Times article written by Ali Longwell, a combination of 29 agricultural groups, hunting organizations and county commissioners recently submitted a petition calling on CPW to delay wolf reintroduction efforts until at least November 2026.
Citing concerns about inadequate resources, ineffective conflict resolution, lack of communication and subpar depredation management, petitioners argued a pause in wolf releases is necessary to allow time for CPW to address shortcomings and make good on stipulations outlined in the original Proposition 114 text which said the reintroduction program “must be designed to resolve conflicts” with livestock producers.
The petition was submitted on Sept. 5 and signed by the Middle Park Stockgrowers, Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Wool Growers Association, Holy Cross Cattlemen’s Association, eight county commissioners and 16 other entities, Longwell notes.
“Ranchers are doing everything we can to coexist, but the state has not held up its end of the deal,” says Tim Ritschard of the Middle Park Stockgrowers in a news release. “When wolves kill our cattle, our families pay the price emotionally, financially and generationally.”
“Until CPW can demonstrate it can manage the wolves already here, adding more is irresponsible,” Ritschard continues.
CASWP efforts
Additionally, a group called Colorado Advocates for Smart Wolf Policy (CASWP) is continuing to advocate for a total end to wolf reintroductions by the end of next year.
A Sept. 15 Summit Daily News article, also written by Longwell, reports CASWP has renewed efforts at getting a citizen initiative calling for a total end to the state’s reintroduction of gray wolves by Dec. 31, 2026 on the November 2026 ballot. A previous attempt was made, but the first circulation failed to garner enough signatures by the original Aug. 27 deadline.
Patrick Davis, CASWP’s lead organizer, told Summit Daily News the language is identical to what was previously submitted and approved by the Title Board. He further notes the second round will involve “engaging early with stakeholder groups and major donors in and out of Colorado to raise the resources necessary” to get the initiative on the ballot.
In a Sept. 13 news release, CASWP states they have filed draft ballot language with Colorado’s Legislative Council staff. Following approval by the Title Board, the group will once again begin to circulate petitions statewide in an effort to secure a spot on the ballot.
CASWP clarifies the measure would not ask CPW to remove wolves already in place, but rather amend Colorado law to end all further importations.
The group cites “exploding costs” and killing of imported wolves by CPW as the primary driving factors behind this initiative, claiming expenditures from wolf reintroduction and management are “straining an already challenged state budget and diverting funds from schools, infrastructure and healthcare.”
Additionally, the news release points to “lethal management” tactics employed by CPW in the face of livestock conflicts as undermining the mission of conservation originally outlined in Proposition 114.
“The original promise of Proposition 114 was ecological restoration,” states the news release. “Instead, CPW has repeatedly resorted to lethal management – shooting wolves it imported after conflicts with livestock. This undermines both conservation ethics and public trust, raising the question, why spend millions bringing wolves to Colorado only to destroy them?”
Next steps
For now, CPW is continuing to plan for another release of wolves this winter.
The fate of both petitions remains uncertain, as CPW reportedly has four other petitions awaiting action at the moment, while CASWP’s proposal awaits approval from the Title Board and then must garner signatures.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
