Did you know that wolves used to thrive in Colorado? Now, they are being welcomed back into Colorado. A long and stressful fight to bring back gray wolves into their native lands is finally here. 

Here’s some background information about wolves in Colorado for those who may not know much. The gray wolf is native to Colorado and they used to thrive on our lands. Until the mid 1940s when wolves were being eradicated from the state. The wolves were being shot, trapped, and poisoned to get them out of the state. Wolves were removed because they were killing livestock and game. But, in the mid 1990s, wolves were restored to Yellowstone National Park. From there on out, wolves have taken residence inside of the park and other states as well. Until July 2019, a lone wolf was spotted in Colorado. The first wolf to be spotted since they were eradicated and it was here to stay. In 2020, Colorado voters approved Proposition 114. Proposition 114 was a proposal to reintroduce gray wolves back into Colorado. Following Proposition 114, a second lone wolf took up residence in Colorado in 2021. Because of the reintroduction to gray wolves, Colorado was in need of wolves to be reintroduced but Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho refused to provide us with wolves. In December 2023, Colorado Parks and Wildlife experts captured 10 gray wolves in the state of Oregon and released them into Summit and Grand counties. 

Succeeding the release of 10 gray wolves in 2023, Colorado is still prospering to reintroduce more. Wolves are a natural and important part of the ecosystem in the West because they help prevent overpopulation and overgrazing of other species. Scientists believe wolves can slow the spread of chronic wasting disease. Certain plant species are in greater abundance since wolves have been reintroduced to Yellowstone. Wolves bring a lot of positive impacts to the ecosystem such as restoring fish populations, helping offset the effects of climate change in forests, and vegetation can rebound. But there are others who worry about the impacts of livestock, hunting, and the ecosystem. 

As of right now, wolves are still being reintroduced to the state of Colorado. Project groups and communities are helping make this a safe and efficient reintroduction to the wolf population. In early January, the CPW Commission rejected the petition to pause reintroduction of the wolves. Spread the word and awareness for our native animals of Colorado. They belong here too as much as any other animal.