Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) staff updated the board on wildlife activity and funding tools. CPW said there was no confirmed wolf resident in Chaffee County at the time of the meeting; radio‑tracked wolves have moved through the county and adjacent areas in recent months, including a male from British Columbia that traversed parts of the region and moved west of Monarch.

CPW said it will pursue a wolverine reintroduction planning effort and has a newly funded position to evaluate potential release and holding sites in the Collegiate Peaks area; CPW described the approach of temporary holding and provisioning (carcass feeding) to encourage retention through spring, followed by releases into areas with marmot abundance and late snowpack. CPW indicated that initial site identification and planning could proceed this winter with possible field activity in subsequent seasons.

The agency also described the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program, funded in part by license and habitat stamp revenues (about $11 million annually), which provides grants for conservation easements, access easements and fee title purchases. CPW said the statewide program has invested roughly $212 million to date in conservation projects and that Chaffee County sites previously supported by the program include the Montanta Pass protection, Bridal Moore easement, Wright’s Lake and Centerville Ranch. CPW encouraged county engagement on potential willing‑seller conservation opportunities and noted state processes cover appraisals, title work and payment of many transaction costs.

CPW staff said they expect dedicated funding cycles and will be available to advise on proposals; they emphasized projects typically require willing sellers and that appraisal‑based valuations guide awards. The briefing was informational; commissioners asked CPW to continue outreach on potential conservation projects and funding opportunities.