CPW allows ranchers to use deadly force if wolves endanger working dogs’ lives

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife voted last week to update its rules on lethally deterring the endangered and newly reintroduced gray wolves in the state, allowing ranchers to kill wolves in the act of attacking working dogs, like livestock guardian dogs.

The cause of the rule change was to clarify the state’s rules and allow the state’s laws to be in line with federal regulations.

Hilary Hernandez, regulations manager for CPW, told the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioners on July 19 that on Dec. 8, 2023, new rules went into effect from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . The 10j rule, finalized last year after months of public and stakeholder input, states that Colorado’s gray wolves are a nonessential experimental population.

“The 10j rule authorizes the take of wolves caught in the act of attacking livestock or working dogs,” Hernandez said. “In May 2023, the Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted a state regulation defining ‘in the act of attacking,’ in doing so, the Commission inadvertently omitted the phrase ‘or working dogs’ from part of the state definition.”

The commission defined working dogs as “guard or hunting dogs typically used in livestock production.”

The wolves were reintroduced in a voter-mandated program beginning in December 2023, which has concerned many ranchers and livestock producers as they anticipated depredations. In July, three depredation events were reported to CPW.

Wolf depredations occur when wolves attack or take a livestock producer’s animal for food, essentially stealing from the business, and it’s been the cause of concern for many ranchers and livestock producers in Jackson and Grand Counties. Wolf depredations can leave livestock injured, if not dead.

However, livestock producers can file a claim with CPW to qualify for financial compensation, up to the fair market value of the animal. According to the information provided by CPW, the state has issued $26,407 in compensation for wolf depredations since December 2021. So far this year, just $1,514 was issued for a single claim filed. One other claim was filed but is still pending.

Since the wolves were reintroduced, CPW has not reported any dog depredations . The last time a dog was reported to have been involved in a wolf depredation in Colorado was March 13, 2023, in Jackson County. The rancher received $15,000 in compensation.

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