Following a series of confirmed depredation events, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) lethally removed an uncollared wolf in Routt County, CO.
On June 12, CPW and its agents lethally removed a wolf that was originally a member of the Copper Creek Pack but has not been a member of the pack since September 2024. Visual evidence showed that the removed wolf is the same that was depredating in Rio Blanco County in 2025 and early 2026.
Since last summer, the wolf has been involved in 10 different depredation events involving 22 sheep, CPW said. The latest confirmed depredation events took place in Routt County on June 10 and June 11, involving one sheep each day. CPW said the depredations occurred even with producers using substantial non-lethal conflict minimization efforts.
“The decision to pursue lethal actions is never an easy one but the circumstances around this wolf’s repeated depredation history made this a difficult but necessary decision,” said CPW Director Laura Clellan. “The producers impacted by these depredations have worked diligently with CPW to identify and deploy all viable and reasonable non-lethal tools and techniques identified through their site assessment and consultation with our field staff.”
Conflict reduction efforts included deploying range riders, using livestock guardian dogs and scare devices, applying for injurious non-lethal hazing permits and having an active human presence from herders.
“While the unanimously adopted Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan calls for 10-15 more wolves to be translocated to Colorado, it also calls for lethal control of chronically depredating wolves,” said Gov. Jared Polis (D). “Colorado remains committed to recovering and maintaining a viable, self-sustaining wolf population in Colorado, while concurrently working to minimize wolf-related conflicts with domestic animals, with non-lethal means as our priority.”
The decision to lethally remove the wolf was made in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and in accordance with the USFWS 10(j) rule. — Anna Miller Fortozo, WLJ managing editor
