The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission voted during a June 12-13 meeting to allow lethal management measurements on wolves that depredate livestock.
CPW has previously prohibited livestock owners from using lethal measures, but new rules will allow the issuance of permits for taking of wolves under certain conditions. Livestock owners will have the ability to obtain “in the act” permits that will allow them to injure or kill wolves in the act of attacking livestock or working dogs. Permits can be issued retroactively, but producers must report injury or death no later than 72 hours.
In addition, if state and federal agencies do not have the capacity to carry out timely lethal control measures, CPW can issue chronic depredation permits for the lethal take of wolves. Permit applicants must have suffered at least one wolf depredation and have employed reasonable conflict minimization techniques prior to receiving a permit. Permits are valid for 45 days.
New lethal take regulations will go into effect on Aug. 1.
