December 26, 2024 | Makenzie Kellar and Alex Terlecky

Wolves in Colorado

Colorado has been working for years on restoring the wolf population, which had been extirpated from Colorado by the 1940s. In December 2023, a reintroduction program finally took off, resulting in 10 grey wolves from Oregon being transported and released in Colorado’s vast wilderness. This bit of news has environmentalists cheering and farmers and ranchers skeptical of how the reintroduction will play out.

At the outset of this program, many questions popped up and still remain: why reintroduce wolves? What effect will they have on Colorado wildlife and livestock? Are they dangerous to humans? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the issue and discuss how you can stay safe around wolves—as well as other types of wildlife—in Colorado’s diverse ecosystems.

A Brief History of Wolves in the West

Prior to the 1900s, wolves were not an unexpected sight in Colorado, but rather one of its many native species. When settlers moving westward across America had hunted the elk and bison populations to near extinction, this resulted in a loss of the preferred food of grey wolves. Consequently, these canines set their sights on an easier and more abundant source of food: livestock.

Ranchers, who understandably wanted to protect their own herds, successfully lobbied the government to set bounties on wolves. These bounties proved to be incredibly effective and, by the 1940s, wolves had almost entirely vanished from the state.

To the north, in Yellowstone National Park, things played out in much the same way. However, parkgoers eventually noticed that massive elk herds began overgrazing the whole park and turned the once beautiful landscape barren. Without wolves to keep them in check, the elk population had grown to an unsustainable size that was negatively affecting the park's ecosystem.

To try and fix this problem, biologists attempted relocating wolves from other places in the country to Yellowstone in 1995. Once the wolf population was established, the newly introduced predators forced elk to move from one spot to the next to graze in different locations, rather than overtaxing their favorites. Plants that had been trampled and eaten grew back, which allowed other animals— such as beavers, another keystone species for their native regions—to thrive.

Reintroduction Efforts

With hopes of replicating the successful wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone and increasing biodiversity, Colorado introduced proposition 114 to voters in 2020. This measure would allow Colorado Parks and Wildlife to “develop a plan to reintroduce and manage gray wolves in Colorado no later than December 31, 2023, on designated lands west of the Continental Divide.” 

However, the topic quickly became contentious; hikers worried about their own safety while traversing Colorado’s trails, ranchers feared for the safety of their livestock and the income they would lose as a result of deaths or injuries the wolves caused, and others doubted that wolves would even be capable of carving out a place in the state for themselves after being absent from it for so long.

The final vote on the issue reflected this division with 50.91% in favor of reintroducing wolves and 49.09% against it. In 2023, 10 grey wolves were released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Grand and Summit counties. 

In the original plan, 30–50 wolves were set to be released, tracked, and studied in the state over the next few years; however, actually implementing it has been anything but seamless. Ranchers have created a petition to halt the reintroduction process and even Colorado Counties Inc. has asked for a delay until certain issues can be resolved. 

After wolves located in Kremmling began preying on livestock, Colorado Parks and Wildlife even removed six wolves from the area—though six month pup was unaccounted for and is presumably still in the area. Needless to say, the future of wolf reintroduction efforts is in a precarious position as the people of Colorado grapple with not only how to safely return wolves to the ecosystem, but if they should return at all.

The Benefits and Problems of Wolves

Wolves are native to the Lower 48, including the state of Colorado, and have been around for millennia. Some of the known benefits of having wolves in the ecosystem include:

• Ecosystem Balance: Wolves are apex predators that help maintain a healthy balance within ecosystems by regulating prey populations like deer and elk, which can otherwise overgraze vegetation.
• Biodiversity: Their presence can lead to increased biodiversity as they impact the behavior and distribution of other species, ultimately enhancing overall ecosystem resilience.
• Habitat Restoration: Wolves can play a role in habitat restoration by influencing the behavior of herbivores, which in turn affects vegetation dynamics and landscape structure.
• Tourism and Recreation: The presence of wolves can also attract tourists and wildlife enthusiasts, potentially benefiting local economies through ecotourism and related industries.
• Cultural and Educational Value: Reintroducing wolves can provide opportunities for education and research, fostering a greater understanding of predator prey dynamics and conservation efforts.

While there are many benefits, it’s also important to address the concerns some have, such as ranchers worrying about livestock. The ease of access and availability of livestock can make it easy for wolves to act on their natural instinct. While wolves have occasionally preyed on livestock, the frequency varies based on region, habitat, and availability of natural prey.

Since the 10 new wolves have been introduced to Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed seven instances of depredation involving nine calves or cattle. To manage ranchers’ concerns, the Wolf Depredation Compensation Fund was created by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, allowing ranchers affected by Wolf depredation to apply and receive up to $15,000 for fair market value of livestock lost to wolf attacks.

In addition, ranchers are legally allowed to kill a wolf if they witness the animal attacking livestock, but only after Colorado Parks and Wildlife first confirm the attack and issue a “lethal take permit."

While these measures may seem like a stopgap to those who are worried about having their livelihoods in jeopardy, the current rules and guidelines are expected to change as more time passes. With the wolf introduction still under a year old, Colorado Parks and Wildlife are learning from these early days of restoration and species management before making any major changes that could affect how successful they are at carrying out the public mandate.

This includes learning from the public and the human side of wolf management. The Good News About Wolves Though not unheard of, cases of wolves attacking people are incredibly uncommon. Between 2002 and 2020, there had only been two fatal wolf attacks in the U.S. This is largely attributed to the simple reason that wolves have learned to fear humans. Their natural trepidation towards people means wolves are unlikely to approach people unless they’re starving, injured, or feel that someone is encroaching on their territory.

Wolves are more likely to attack livestock, though this does not happen as often as one would think. A study done by the Humane Society of the United States used USDA data to calculate that, in 2015, wolf attacks only accounted for 0.009% of cattle deaths.

Though only the future can tell if wolves will be able to make a permanent place for themselves in Colorado, research and preparation can ensure that you are able to stay safe whatever the outcome may be.

How to Stay Safe Around Colorado's Wildlife

Living in harmony with Colorado’s wild creatures can be a tricky balance to strike. However, knowing how to safely interact with the animals that call this state their home is always a good place to start.

It may surprise you that wildlife conflicts often arise due to human encroachment on their habitats rather than an increase in animal aggression. There are very few animals that view humans as prey, and none of those animals live in Colorado.

Therefore, when you encounter an animal acting aggressively, or encounter an animal in a situation that escalates, it is important to consider the situations which may result in both instinctual and calculated responses from animals we share the world with.

1. Mountain Lions - One notable instance is the rise in conflicts with mountain lions in the Front Range area. Wildlife experts, such as Ty Petersburg from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, emphasize the need for responsible practices to minimize potential encounters. Encouraging Coloradans to make their presence known, install outdoor lighting, and adopt wildlife-friendly landscaping helps strike a balance between human activities and the inherent beauty of these creatures.
2. Moose - Similarly, moose encounters in the Front Range area are increasing, partly due to a growing population and illegal feeding. Understanding moose behavior and signs of agitation becomes paramount in reducing potential conflicts. If confronted, maintaining a safe distance and seeking shelter behind large objects are recommended strategies.
3. Coyotes and Wolves - Moving beyond large mammals, encounters with coyotes and wolves, though rare, require a similar approach. As urban settings witness an influx of coyotes, practicing vigilance and loud deterrence can minimize the risk of conflicts. While the chance of encountering a wolf in Colorado is low, if a wolf is encountered, follow the same steps you would a mountain lion, and always be sure to hike or camp in groups.
4. Black Bears - Black bears, adapting to changing landscapes, are also encountering humans more frequently. Responsible habits such as secure food storage and calm, assertive behavior during encounters can mitigate conflicts. Unlike grizzlies, black bears can identify humans as non-threatening and leave on their own, emphasizing the importance of informed, non-confrontational responses.
5. Snakes - Snakes, including venomous species like the western rattlesnake and massasauga, inhabit various habitats in the state. While encounters are infrequent, understanding preventive measures (such as wearing protective clothing and alerting snakes to human presence) enhances safety.

First Aid

If you find yourself in an encounter like the one listed above, regardless of how rare that might be,it can be beneficial to understand a few basic first aid tips to manage the worst-case scenario of an animal bite. Immediately following an attack that results in a bite or a scratch, you or someone in your party should inspect the wound to classify it as minor or severe.

Minor wounds are instances when the skin is slightly broken or not broken at all. Severe wounds are instances where a bite or scratch has torn the skin, resulted in heavy bleeding, or left a deep injury (like a puncture).

For minor wounds, the first step is to thoroughly wash the wound with warm, soapy water or cleanse it with an antibacterial spray or wipe. Apply antibiotic cream immediately. Following this step, cover the wound with a clean bandage and as time passes, keep an eye out for signs of infection, changing the bandage as need. Signs of a local wound infection may include: warmth, pus, red streaks, a foul odor, or pain with joint movement.

For severe wounds, the response is a little different. When dealing with a situation like this, the first step is to apply uniform pressure with a clean cloth directly on the wound. The goal here is to try and stop or limit the amount of bleeding. Work to immobilize the area of the bite and try to keep it elevated.

Seek medical attention immediately for wounds caused by an animal on the joint, hand, or foot. These have the potential to be serious and may need to be treated with a prescribed antibiotic. Additionally, the treating medical providers may deem it necessary to administer vaccines for rabies or other diseases potentially carried by wild animals.

Being Prepared and Being Respectful

Ultimately, the key lies in coexisting harmoniously with Colorado's wildlife. By embracing a mindset of respect, education, and preparedness, Coloradans can navigate their work, daily lives, and outdoor adventures while appreciating the rich biodiversity that surrounds them. Wild animals seek solitude rather than confrontation, and fostering understanding can create a safer environment for both humans and wildlife alike.

Many wildlife experts advise Coloradans not to be overly afraid of a wild animal attack. The fear of encountering mountain lions, bears, or any number of other potentially dangerous animals shouldn’t detract from your work, daily life, or outdoor adventures. The likelihood that you will encounter, let alone be attacked, by animals is extremely remote.

Instead, it’s better to be prepared and educate yourself on how best to respect wildlife, prevent conflicts, and respond to infrequent attacks so you can safely enjoy your surroundings.