CPW Responds to Claims It Violated Federal Guidelines in Wolf Transfer From Canada

By: Karen Morfitt | CBS Colorado

Updated on: November 13, 2025 / 9:24 PM MST / CBS Colorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is moving forward with their wolf reintroduction plan even as they face additional challenges around where the wolves will come from.

This comes after a former U.S. representative for Colorado who, along with other stakeholders, raised concerns that CPW may have violated state law by importing wolves from Canada.

“I would say that no one has the authority to violate the Endangered Species Act. Section 9 clearly states that it is a violation of the Act to import wolves into the United States,” said Lopez in a statement to CBS Colorado. “Section 10 requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue an exemption to Section 9 by publishing that exemption in the Federal Register. I would ask Director Davis to provide the written authorization he received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” 

CBS Investigator Shaun Boyd first reported the concerns last month. They argued the permit only allowed wolves from six U.S. states and that it was issued before the current administration took office.

The concerns center on a permit Colorado needs to bring gray wolves into the state. Because wolves are listed as an endangered species in Colorado CPW must obtain a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to relocate wolves from other states. The current permit lists six states and does not include Canada.

CPW brought in 15 wolves from British Columbia last year and had planned to bring in 15 more this year.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CBS COLORADO