As friction continues to surround the topic of wolf reintroduction in Colorado, two noteworthy messages have been sent by parties at polar sides of the debate over the success of the effort in recent days.
A first notable statement comes in the form of a letter from ranchers who have been impacted by the reintroduction, penned on August 28 and addressing representatives of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In the letter, which was provided to the OutThere Colorado team by Steamboat Radio 's Shannon Lukens, ranchers Don Gittleson and Conway Farrell requested that the US Fish and Wildlife Service "take control over the decision making for the wolves in Colorado."
The letter expresses concerns that Governor Polis and First Gentleman Marlon Reis are making decisions that are impacted by their "relationship with wolf advocacy groups and their own feelings," also claiming that Polis is not allowing Colorado Parks and Wildlife leaders "to make adequate and reasonable decisions in regard to the management of wolves."
"We have actually been told by members of CPW that the Governor is making the decisions," reads the letter. The letter also makes note of specific concerns related to CPW transparency, translocation of wolves that may have ties to prior livestock depredation, difficulties when it comes to getting adequate compensation for impacted livestock, and lack of lethal options for management.
The letter closes with the following statement:
"It is very evident that Governor Polis is at the helm of all decisions regarding wolf management. Recent comments by the First Gentleman on his Facebook reinforce what is already known, that management decisions are being based on emotions and their personal involvement with many wolf advocacy groups rather than rules, common sense, and to protect the agricultural community as well as wolves.
The way CPW is currently managing, or not managing these wolves, is ruining their relationship with many in the agricultural community and is not helping the wolves either. This situation is having a very big financial and emotional impact on the ranching community in both Grand and Jackson Counties.
We feel that the current CPW staff is very capable of making good decisions regarding the management of these wolves, but as long as Governor Polis is in office they will never be able to make the decision to remove wolves lethally even if that is the best course of action."
Representing the other side of the debate around wolf reintroduction, Governor Polis' husband Marlon Reis made a post on Facebook on September 10, addressing recent news that six of Colorado's wolves were captured for relocation, with one of those wolves found dead days later due to unrelated injuries.
In that post , Reis blames a lack of communication from Colorado Parks and Wildlife for what he describes as a lack of balanced in media coverage.
"Negative spin was modest at the start, but in the weeks leading up to the capture and removal of the Copper Creek pack, headlines invoking the nonsensical fairy tale fears of Little Red Riding Hood were everywhere to be found, and there was nothing positive to fall back on," wrote Reis.
Reis continues to state, "Had CPW celebrated the past nine months rather than remain silent, milestone successes could have been channeled into a shield to defend the Copper Creek pack and the program as a whole. The wolves needed that protection against those who are now celebrating and taking credit for the dissolution of the Copper Creek pack."
According to Reis, his "hope going forward is that CPW will defend its work, celebrate its successes, not give in to cynicism, and do everything possible to ensure animals don’t suffer because of people who still believe in fairy tales."
Reis' statement was met with a mixed response from commenters.
There are currently believed to be 14 wolves in Colorado – the eight surviving wolves of the 10 that were reintroduced in December 2023, two wolves that naturally migrated into the state from Wyoming, and four recently birthed pups of the Copper Creek pack. Per the Colorado Parks and Wildlife published count, the last confirmed livestock depredation incident took place on July 28 involving eight sheep. The agency's tally indicates that 24 livestock depredations have taken place this year.
Of the 15 separate depredation incidents that are included on Colorado Parks and Wildlife's reporting page , a single depredation compensation claim has been paid out – $1,514 for a calf that was killed in April. A second claim for another April incident is pending. The remaining 13 cases are currently listed as "no claim submitted." Completed claim paperwork must be filed within 90 days of Colorado Parks and Wildlife's receipt of the claimant's last notice of loss, per the Colorado Parks and Wildlife reporting page . Claimants can also elect to delay filing up to December 31 of the year a loss occurred.
STAY INFORMED: Get free Colorado news with our daily newsletter (Click here)
Local News
