Colorado Wolf Removal Pause
Colorado pauses routine wolf removals amid growing concerns over survival rates and population growth.
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Key Points
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Colorado's count rose from 32 wolves on March 31 to at least 45 by late September—a 40% increase despite five lethal removals and without new imports. Article 1 notes this appears to conflict with CPW's concern that population growth may not occur this biological year.
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Colorado recorded 82% pup survival in 2025–26, according to the Yahoo article, higher than the typical 50–60% rate for wolf pups in western populations.
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The obstacles to translocations include a 2025 decision by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik to bar further Canadian wolves, based on his reading of the state-federal agreement, and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon's refusal to provide wolves.
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Colorado has four reproducing wolf packs, a traveling group of four siblings, and several wolves without packs that could pair up this winter. CPW says the removals concern livestock losses, not threats to people or populated areas.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has paused its policy of automatically killing wolves that repeatedly attack livestock, shifting to case-by-case decisions instead. Denver Gazette reported the move sparked immediate backlash from five agricultural groups who say it abandons rural communities. Meanwhile, Columbian reported that Washington state is moving in the opposite direction—authorizing the "incremental" killing of wolves in its southeastern pack after livestock attacks.
Colorado counted 45 wolves by late September, up 40% from 32 in March, according to Cowboy State Daily. But adult survival dropped to 61%—well below the typical 75%—and the state needs 150 to 200 wolves for a self-sustaining population. CPW has killed five wolves this year for chronic livestock depredation.
Colorado's Wolf Population Grows Despite Lethal Removals
Colorado's wolf count jumped from 32 on March 31 to at least 45 by late September—a 40% increase—even after five lethal removals and without importing new wolves, Cowboy State Daily reported. The pack includes 20 pups. Denver Gazette notes this growth partly contradicts CPW's earlier concern that the population might stall this year.
Pup survival hit 82% in the 2025-26 biological year, much higher than the typical 50-60% rate for wolf pups in western populations. Adult wolves, however, face tougher odds. The survival rate fell to 61% last year, down from the historical 75%, signaling stress on the breeding population.
CPW Pauses Automatic Killing of Problem Wolves
Denver Gazette reported that Colorado Parks and Wildlife suspended its "chronic depredation directive," which automatically authorized lethal removal of wolves that repeatedly attacked livestock. CPW said future removals will be considered carefully, case by case, because of concerns about wolf survival and population growth. The agency emphasized it only kills wolves after exhausting other viable options like fencing and herding.
Five agricultural organizations condemned the pause, saying it reverses years of stakeholder negotiation and leaves rural communities unprotected. Denver Gazette reported the groups argue that livestock losses demand swift action. CPW countered that removals address livestock losses only—not threats to people or populated areas.
Obstacles Block New Wolf Imports for Colorado
Colorado has no new source for wolf translocations heading into winter. Cowboy State Daily noted that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik barred further Canadian wolves in 2025, citing his interpretation of the state-federal agreement. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon also refused to provide wolves from his state's population.
On the ground, Colorado now has four reproducing packs, a traveling group of four siblings, and several lone wolves that could pair up this winter. Denver Gazette reported that CPW will monitor whether the pause helps or hinders the state's goal of 150 to 200 wolves for long-term stability.
Washington State Authorizes Incremental Wolf Killings
While Colorado pauses removals, Washington is moving the opposite direction. Columbian reported that the state's Department of Fish and Wildlife director authorized the "incremental" killing of wolves in southeastern Washington after repeated livestock attacks. The agency will kill the pack members slowly over time rather than all at once.
The two-state split reflects deep divisions over how to balance rural livestock protection with wolf recovery. Colorado's population remains far below recovery targets, while Washington's approach prioritizes immediate livestock losses. Both states face pressure from agricultural communities demanding protection.
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