An initiative to introduce wolves to the Colorado landscape won a spot on the 2020 ballot in early January.
Days after the initiative’s success, state wildlife officials confirmed there was already a pack of wolves living in Colorado for the first time in 80 years.
Sen. Kerry Donnovan (D-Vail) introduced Senate Bill 20-121 Jan. 24 to put a compromise on the table.
The bill would push back the introduction date to Dec. 31, 2025, and add stipulations to the plan.
The bill would authorize the management and reintroduction of the gray wolf in Colorado only if a new source of revenue became available to pay for damages caused by gray wolves.
In addition, if the wolf already has a self-sustaining population, the bill calls for cancellation of the introduction.
“I’m hopeful that this bill will result in a compromise that addresses the concerns of the ag community, how compensation for wolf predation will be handled if wolves get here on their own or are introduced, and will map a pathway of having wolves back in Colorado,” Donovan said.
