Colorado wolf plan released, hearings scheduled, comments sought
2022/12/9 | Colorado: Montezuma Co.
Colorado wolf plan released, hearings scheduled, comments sought
Colorado wolf restoration and management plan update
By Matt Barnes
Colorado Parks and Wildlife released the first draft of the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan on Dec. 9. The plan includes reintroduction logistics, recovery criteria, and a framework for management of impacts (positive and negative), including livestock conflict prevention and compensation. The plan was expected to reflect the recommendations of the Technical Working Group (agency representatives and experts from the Northern Rockies) and the Stakeholder Advisory Group (ranchers, hunters, outfitters, and wildlife conservationists), both of which recently concluded deliberations after meeting monthly for the last year and a half along with agency staff and a third-party facilitator. Hearings on the first draft, with opportunities for public comment, are scheduled for each region:
Jan. 19, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Colorado Springs
Jan. 25, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Gunnison
Feb. 7, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Rifle
Feb. 16, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM, virtual
Feb. 22, 8:00 AM- 3:00 PM, Denver
Public comments can also be submitted online through Feb. 22, at engagecpw.org. Final guidance from the Parks and Wildlife Commission is expected on Feb. 22. CPW staff will present a presumably final draft on April 6, with final approval on May 3-4.
Draft Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan (CPW 2022).
General location of wolf release area, from the draft Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan (CPW 2022). Wolves are not expected to remain in this area, but to spread throughout suitable habitat in the Southern Rocky Mountains.
Separately, the USFWS is developing an experimental population designation for Colorado (which increases management flexibility under the Endangered Species Act). An associated environmental impact statement, and a public comment period, are expected in the coming months.
State law mandates reintroduction (beginning by the end of 2023), as well as wolf-livestock conflict prevention and compensation, with details to be developed in the state’s plan. One family group of wolves is currently known to be in Colorado, in North Park, and has killed several cattle in the last year. Other reports have been false or unverifiable.
Further information on wolves and wolf-livestock conflict minimization is available in the People and Predators science review published by CSU Extension, and the Wolf Resource Guide re-published by CPW. Livestock predation risk may be reduced by range management practices such as strategic grazing management and low-stress herding.
