DENVER — A group of Colorado agricultural and livestock producers hope to delay any more wolf introductions.
Twenty-six organizations filed a formal petition with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission seeking a new rule to delay introductions "until Colorado's wolf management program can adequately address the conflicts between wolves and livestock producers."
CPW plans to capture up to 15 wolves in British Columbia and release them in Colorado this winter. CPW also currently has five wolves in captivity that its employees removed from the wild. CPW could release all five of those wolves back into the wild.
"The requested rule changes aim to ensure that CPW is equipped to manage wolf depredation and provide livestock producers with the necessary tools and resources before any wolves are put on the ground," states a news release from the Colorado Cattlemen's Association.
"Could there be some additional management flexibility as more wolves are put on the ground? Possibly, but I think nothing is certain. When we look at our producers, representing our producers on the ground, we need certainty," Erin Karney, Colorado Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President told 9NEWS.
The petition wants CPW to define chronic depredation. Depredation is when a wolf kills livestock. The groups also want CPW to proactively develop non-lethal measures for ranchers to co-exist with wolves. CPW has only helped upon request.
The petition includes am affidavit from the rancher most affected by wolves in Colorado this year.
"Since the gray wolves were reintroduced in Grand and Summit County in December 2023, Farrell Livestock’s ranch has experienced 15 confirmed wolf depredations," Conway Farrell writes. "For suspected but unconfirmed depredations, we have had 15 sheep killed, 29 calves out of 169 late calvers missing, and 6 calves missing during calving season."
9NEWS has reached out to CPW as well as the commission's chairperson for comment.
The petition was sent by organizations that include the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, Middle Park Stockgrowers Association, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Wool Growers Association, and Club 20.
