Wolf spotted multiple times along heavily-trafficked portion of Colorado's I-70 route

A wolf has been captured on camera near Colorado's Vail Pass along I-70.

According to Paige Singer of Rocky Mountain Wild, the wolf was captured on a camera that's involved in the Colorado Corridors Project , which is an initiative involving Rocky Mountain Wild and Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. The initiative is in its ninth year, aiming to engage volunteers in wildlife monitoring along a stretch of the interstate in the area of East Vail Pass where three wildlife crossing structures have been recommended. Volunteers involved with the program help to set-up and monitor remote-triggered cameras, also aiding in identifying and cataloging species that are spotted. Ultimately, the program hopes to collect data that could make the proposed wildlife crossings more effective by providing data of animals that might use the crossings prior to implementation, as well as by developing a better picture of the 'before-after' impacts of the crossings.

According to Rocky Mountain Wild, the wolf that was captured on camera is one that was reintroduced to the state, with the formal reintroduction starting in December of 2023. Timestamps on photos that were provided by Rocky Mountain Wild indicate that a collared wolf was present in the area both on July 8 and July 22, seen on the move between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The group also noted that the wolf species is the 13th carnivore captured on the project's cameras.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has indicated that wolves remain on the northern side of I-70 despite being detected in greater watershed areas that do continue south of the route. Rocky Mountain Wild notes that the presence of the wolves in the area of a proposed crossing may further support the need for such a crossing that would provide safe access to the other side of the road.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife produces a map each month that updates the public on where Colorado's wolves have been. These maps have shown that wolves have been present in the more populated central mountain region.

The reintroduction of wolves in Colorado remains a controversial topic, with many proponents believing that the presence of wolves will help to establish a lost balance in the Colorado ecosystem while opponents have expressed concerns over possible impacts for the ranching industry and recreator safety.

Rocky Mountain Wild is a group that's centered on promoting "a biologically healthy future for [the Southern Rocky Mountain region]." The group is in its 25th year of operations, having started in 1999. Learn more about the group here .

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