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CPW: wolf reintroduction continues amid funding, compensation and sourcing challenges
Summary
Colorado Parks and Wildlife told the Joint Budget Committee the wolf reintroduction has produced more wolves and four confirmed dens in 2025 but sourcing additional animals is politically and logistically challenging; CPW outlined a multi‑source funding mix for wolf work and said it is complying with a US Fish & Wildlife information request under the 10(j) rule.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) staff briefed the Joint Budget Committee on gray wolf restoration, depredation compensation, range rider deployment and program funding.
Assistant Director Reed DeWalt said Colorado has translocated 25 wolves to date, with reproduction in four packs and several dens confirmed in 2025. CPW provides a minimum winter count in its annual report — the last minimum count (biological year April 1, 2024–March 31, 2025) was 15 animals — and staff noted that additional releases and births since that report change population accounting. DeWalt warned that availability of source animals for future translocations has been constrained by other states and jurisdictions.
CPW outlined the FY26 revenues supporting wolf activities: a legislative general fund appropriation tied to implementation of Prop 14, sales of a "Born to Be Wild" license plate, a general fund transfer to a wolf depredation compensation fund, grants (including GoCo), and donations. Assistant Director Justin Rutter explained expenditures to date and that operating expenses are tracked by funding source to honor restrictions.
On compensation to livestock producers, CPW described multiple mechanisms. DeWalt said last year CPW paid about $600,000 in confirmed claims and expects negotiations and claims processing to continue; he described direct and indirect compensation processes, weight‑loss and production loss calculations, and a compensation ratio that pays higher recovery rates when nonlethal deterrents were used.
Committee members raised concerns about timeliness and adequacy of payments and the need for clearer communications with western ranching communities. CPW said it has convened producer groups, created standardized submission requirements with CSU Animal Science, and run an ad hoc director group to maintain dialogue.
On federal oversight, Director Cleland said CPW is responding to a US Fish and Wildlife Service letter that requests documentation demonstrating compliance with the 10(j) guidance; she told the committee, "We intend to comply with this letter," and said CPW is providing the requested records but that the letter itself does not mandate immediate program changes.
CPW also described operational elements intended to reduce conflict: the state’s range rider program (about 12 riders as a target during grazing season), nonlethal tools, and targeted deployment around den sites. Lawmakers pressed CPW on funding sources and whether the wolf program's expected costs will be covered; CPW listed nine potential funding approaches including general fund transfers and internal reprioritization but said specific allocations will be clarified as claims are resolved.
The committee requested further cost and claims detail and follow‑up on pending claim counts so lawmakers can evaluate budget tradeoffs.
