Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced plans to reintroduce wolves to southwestern Colorado during the third release period next winter, with Gunnison County included in the targeted area between Monarch Pass and Montrose, according to Crested Butte News.
The Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association has urged local and state officials to pause the releases, citing depredation issues and depleted compensation funds in northern Colorado. At a recent commissioner work session, Stockgrowers’ President Andy Spann emphasized that introducing more wolves is premature.
A 2024 study estimated mitigation costs for local ranchers at $3.2 million.
Spann said communication with CPW has been good but noted that tracking wolves is becoming harder as reproduction increases and collars fail. He emphasized the need for stronger prevention programs, particularly range riding, which has shown promise but remains in its early stages of development.
