A pair of bills regarding wolf management in the state of Colorado passed through the state Senate on April 17, which could have wide implications for the state’s initiative to reintroduce wolves by the end of 2023. The window of opportunity for collaboration on the restoration plan is narrowing, as the plan is set to be approved by the state’s wildlife agency in just a few short weeks.
Bills move forward
Senate Bills (SB) 255 and 256 impact the management of gray wolves and depredation compensation and were widely passed by the Senate.
Under the Endangered Species Act’s (ESA) 10(j) rule, wolves could be designated as a “nonessential, experimental population.” This would allow for the lethal taking of wolves, along with other non-lethal management options. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is currently in a rule-making process to finalize the 10(j) rule by mid-December, shortly before wolves are set to be brought into the state.
SB 256 would require that all legal challenges to the USFWS’ 10(j) rule be completed before wolves can be introduced to the state.
“Because of gray wolf mobility, it is anticipated that wolves will occupy federal land areas after they are released,” the bill’s text read. “Therefore, it is critical that, before gray wolves are reintroduced in Colorado, a determination is made under [10(j)] and that the analysis required by the federal National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, for the release of gray wolves is completed in order to enable the Colorado division of parks and wildlife to implement best management practices in light of the endangered species status of the gray wolf,” the bill continued.
Opponents argue this could take years. Proponents say it’s necessary.
“Having a 10J allows Colorado to have management of wolves in our state in cooperation with USFWS. This management flexibility is critical to the success of the wolf reintroduction plan,” said Sen. Perry Will (R-New Castle), a co-sponsor of the bill, in a statement.
“Further, secure funding for conflict prevention and livestock depredation compensation is critical for success of the plan and non-lethal prevention techniques and compensation to producers’ livestock loss is a must!”
SB 255 relates to the compensation to those who suffer damages due to gray wolf depredations. The bill would create a wolf depredation compensation fund to compensate landowners and producers for depredation of livestock and working animals. SB 255 would appropriate $175,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 for the fund, and then $350,000 for every fiscal year thereafter.
“By establishing a compensation fund for Coloradans who suffer livestock losses from wolves, we are doubling down on our commitment to protect our farmers, ranchers and the Western Slope way of life,” said House Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon), a co-sponsor of the bill, in a statement.
“Our bipartisan legislative package works with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help mitigate the effects of wolf reintroduction, protect Coloradans’ livelihood and respect the new regulations approved by voters in Prop 114,” she continued.
The bills now move onward to the Colorado House of Representatives.
Final meetings
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) presented its final draft plan for wolf restoration to the CPW Commission on April 6 in Steamboat Springs, CO, which was followed by a public input discussion. The final plan is set to be approved by the commission in Glenwood Springs, CO, during the first week of May.
The Steamboat Springs meeting lasted nearly seven hours, with 20 members of the public providing their input. Among ranchers, residents and others, Councilwoman Vanessa P. Torres for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe spoke at the meeting, saying the state did not consider the impact to Tribes when the measure to introduce wolves (Proposition 114) was allowed to be put on the 2020 ballot.
Torres asked the Commission to release wolves in the northern release zone to avoid releasing wolves into the Tribe’s hunting grounds, as Tribal members have seen elk numbers drop. A commissioner acknowledged the lack of discussion with Tribes before the Steamboat Springs meeting and urged the commission to work more closely with Tribes. CPW responded that wolves would not be released within 60 miles of Colorado’s state boundaries, which includes the Tribal boundary, but noted that wolf packs do travel.
Members of the public were able to voice their concerns at the meeting, and ranchers advocated for livestock loss compensation, and expressed concern with the cost of carcass removal.
The entire CPW Commission meeting is available on YouTube for those interested in watching. Search for “Colorado Parks and Wildlife Wolf Plan meeting” at youtube.com, posted by the CPW page on April 6.
The next CPW Commission meeting will be held May 3-4 in Glenwood Springs, but attendees may tune into the meeting virtually at www.youtube.com/user/coloparkswildlife/live at 8 a.m. MT. Comments are encouraged to be submitted ahead of time at engagecpw.org/comment-form. The meeting will discuss final considerations for gray wolf taking, along with depredation compensation. — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor
