By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
As seen in the newest map released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), “newcomers” from the north are making their way across the entire Western Slope.
This might excite CPW officials and wolf advocate groups, but not everyone.
Josh Wambolt wrote the members of the Colorado Wildlife Commission in an open letter that reads,
“If you have not noticed, the ranchers and outfitters are pretty upset with the CPW commission, Director Davis, and the senior staff calling the shots.,” wrote Josh Wamboltin a letter to the members of the Colorado Wildlife Commission. “If you haven’t noticed the exasperation from the general public, and those being affected by these wolves, and the unkept promises you made to people, I highly suggest you get informed quickly.”
There are 28 collared wolves and at least three wolves that have drifted in from other states now residing in Colorado, CPW confirms. Human residents in North Park are confirming they have seen them, and last month, a cow carrying a calf was killed by a wolf in Jackson County.
In Mesa County, there is at least one wolf reported near Vega Reservoir and another near Grand Junction. In fact, according to the CPW’s map, most of Mesa County’s watersheds have had at least one wolf collar pinging its location.
There have been multiple sightings in Garfield County, near Rifle, Garfield Creek and Glenwood Springs. Rio Blanco County continues to be a hotspot as well, with multiple people reporting they have seen wolves and wolf tracks near ranching operations.
Interestingly, the map shows that some of the wolves have been in watersheds that adjoin the Wyoming state line, and the Utah state line. If the wolves cross over into Utah, CPW is going to have to retrieve them at the taxpayer’s expense. If they cross into Wyoming, they are no longer protected, as the state of Wyoming has a year-round hunting season for wolves in the lower part of the state.
Recently, it was reported that CPW had notified Utah wildlife managers that the wolves could cross the state line. CPW made arrangements to capture and return any wolves that migrated to Utah.
CPW has also confirmed that there is at least one wolf that is not wearing a collar that has been seen in Lay, a small town west of Craig.
Wolves are now in watersheds in Rio Blanco, Moffat, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Jackson, Eagle, Routt, Summit, Grand, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Chaffee, Fremont and Teller counties, and just into the western edge of Custer County.
Last year’s depredation of livestock began in April 2024, with at least 29 sheep and cattle losses attributed to wolves. Livestock growers have filed for $581,000 in claims.
The Colorado Wildlife Commission is set to meet March 5-6 and is expected to approve four of those claims under the consent agenda. CPW has recommended a total of $343,000 to two separate livestock owners who lost sheep and cows to confirmed wolf kills, far short of the loss for which they filed.
One of the claimants has agreed to this portion of the claim, while leaving the rest of the claim unresolved. The second claim that CPW recommends being approved is in the amount of $56,000. In addition to wolf depredation claims, CPW will be paying out $65,523 in depredation of sheep by bears in Garfield County, and $41,000 for elk damage to a hay crop.
CPW is expected to deny two claims: one for a llama, and another for a single goat.
Although the commissioners have placed the decision on the wildlife damage claims on the consent agenda, stating, “The director identifies matters where the recommended action follows established policy or precedent, there has been agreement reached, or the matter is expected to be uncontested and non-controversial.”
If any of the commissioners request further consideration of an item on the consent agenda, that item will be withdrawn from the consent agenda and discussed and acted upon as determined by the Commission. The consent agenda may be voted on without the necessity of reading individual items. Any Commission member may request clarification from the director for any matter on the consent agenda.