Colorado lost one of its wolf sources. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington notified Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) that it will no longer capture and supply wolves for its ongoing wolf translation project.
“It has come to our attention that necessary and meaningful consultation was not completed with the potentially impacted tribes,” the Tribes wrote in a letter to CPW. “Out of respect for the sovereignty, cultures, and memberships of Indian Tribes in Colorado and neighboring states, who may be impacted by this project, the Colville Tribes cannot assist with this project at this time.”
Further information on the Tribes’ website shows the reservation rescinded all previous directives to supply Colorado with wolves.
Colorado worked with the state of Oregon to capture and then release wolves into the state in December of 2023. As of April 2024, transplanted wolves killed or injured more than two dozen livestock or working cattle ranch dogs.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation opposed the 2020 Colorado wolf effort for many reasons including:
- Wildlife management via the ballot is unscientific and reckless
- State wildlife managers previously stated their opposition to any type of forced introduction four separate times
- CPW previously confirmed an active wolf pack within the state’s borders
- Out-of-state interests supported the movement
- Colorado’s ungulate populations would be impacted
- Colorado’s farming and ranching families would be negatively affected
RMEF committed more than $300,000 to defeat the effort. Pre-election polls show the measure would pass by an 80-20 percent margin. It ended up passing by less than two percent.
(Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)