KREMMLING, Colo. — One month ago, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reintroduced wolves in Colorado. CPW released the first wolves into Grand County, and since then ranchers tell us they have received almost no communication about the apex predators.
“Really haven’t heard much from CPW, mostly it’s just been locals and local sightings," said Tim Ritschard, a fifth-generation rancher in Grand County.
Ranchers aren't known for being vocal, but when it comes to wolves they're not going to be silent.
“They’re introverted, but that’s also our demise, right? Because we do sit on our hands, and this is a topic where we can’t sit on our hands," said Shawn School, a Grand County rancher.
Shawn Scholl is a fourth-generation rancher. About 60% of Grand County voters rejected the ballot proposal to reintroduce wolves. Scholl doesn't understand why the state chose their area; He understands hard work.
“I can do a day of ranch work, and I feel so satisfied like I contributed. I made a difference that day," he said.
Ranching is a job without days off, and ranchers face many challenges. In Grand County, they already worry about coyotes, mountain lions and occasionally bears. Now, the state gave them wolves.
"It was shoved down our throats," he said.
Last year, Scholl spotted wolves on his ranch. That was before CPW reintroduced wolves, as voters decided in the 2020 election.
In the winter, ranchers keep their cattle closer, feeding them hay daily. The cattle spread out later in the year, so ranchers can grow the hay. As we get later into 2024, they worry if a wolf kills one of their cows, they won't even know.
“I don’t go tuck them in at night, they’re everywhere, they’re scattered, they’re eating," Scholl said.
Not knowing where the wolves are adds stress.
“You sit there and wonder, kind of look around and go maybe I’ll see them," said Ritschard.
Ritschard's ranch is just a few miles away from the Scholls'.
"It's been uneasy, not knowing where everything is, not knowing are they in your area, are they around," Ritschard said.
If a wolf is, or was, near his ranch, Ritschard would like to know. The fear of wolf depredation never goes away.
“That’s your biggest worry, is you go down there one day and here’s 10 dead calves, or 10 dead cows and then what?" Ritschard asked.
The ranchers said they want better communication from CPW, but if the state won't talk, they will.
“This is how we live. This is our livelihood. This is our story. You be the judge of how you think that’s going to play out. That’s all," Scholl said.
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