Colorado Pauses Wolf Reintroduction for 2025 Season

By Chico’s Haven | Outdoor News & Conservation

Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced that the state will not conduct an additional release of gray wolves during the 2025 winter season, pausing what would have been the third year of Colorado’s wolf restoration effort.

The decision comes as part of the ongoing implementation of a voter-approved ballot initiative passed in 2020, which directed the state to reintroduce gray wolves to designated areas of western Colorado by the end of 2023 and to manage a self-sustaining population thereafter.

According to state wildlife officials, the pause is due to logistical and regulatory challenges associated with sourcing wolves that meet both federal and state requirements for translocation. Wolves used in previous releases were captured from out-of-state populations, but suitable source options were not available for the 2025 winter season.

Officials emphasized that the pause does not indicate an end to the wolf restoration program. Wolves already released into Colorado remain under active monitoring, and biologists continue tracking pack formation, reproduction, mortality, and movement across the Western Slope.

Since initial releases began, some reintroduced wolves have formed packs and produced pups, while others have died from causes including vehicle collisions and illegal killings. Wildlife managers state that these outcomes are consistent with early-stage reintroduction efforts observed in other regions.

During the pause, Colorado Parks and Wildlife plans to continue working with livestock producers, local governments, and other stakeholders on conflict-prevention strategies and livestock compensation programs. The agency will also review data collected from the first two years of releases to inform future management decisions.

State officials indicated that wolf reintroductions could resume in a future winter season if regulatory conditions are met and suitable source populations are identified.

FAQ: Colorado Wolf Reintroduction Pause

Why did Colorado pause wolf reintroductions in 2025?

The pause is due to challenges in identifying and securing wolves that meet federal and state legal requirements for translocation during this winter season.

Is the wolf restoration program canceled?

No. State officials have confirmed the program is ongoing. The pause applies only to new releases during the 2025 season.

How many wolves are currently in Colorado?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife continues to monitor the existing wolf population, including released wolves and their offspring. Population estimates are updated periodically as new data becomes available.

What is happening to wolves already released?

Previously released wolves remain protected and monitored through GPS collars and field tracking. Biologists continue to study pack behavior, reproduction, and movement.

Will wolves be released in the future?

Officials have stated that future releases remain possible if regulatory requirements are met and appropriate source populations are available.

How is the state addressing livestock concerns during the pause?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is continuing conflict-prevention efforts and compensation programs designed to address livestock losses associated with wolf activity.

Who oversees the wolf restoration program?

The program is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife in coordination with federal wildlife agencies and guided by the voter-approved reintroduction mandate.

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