Colorado’s Wolf Population Continues to Expand
In December, Colorado’s eight collared wolves were spotted in the northern and northwestern parts of the state, as shown in a monthly tracking map released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The wolves’ territory included areas in Lake, Summit, Grand, Eagle, Jackson, Routt, Moffatt, Rio Blanco, and Garfield counties.
Notably, at least one wolf crossed back into Larimer County’s watershed for the first time since October, according to the latest tracking data. Additionally, the wolves that had previously crossed Interstate 70 remained in the mountains around Leadville, south of the interstate.
However, the map also revealed that the wolf or wolves that were residing in Garfield County near Rifle and Glenwood Springs had moved out of that area.
As part of Colorado’s wolf reintroduction program, wildlife officials are gearing up to release up to 15 more wolves. These wolves will be captured in British Columbia, Canada, and released in Garfield, Eagle, or Pitkin counties.
Furthermore, a female wolf and her four pups, which were removed from the wild due to livestock depredations, are set to be released. Unfortunately, one pup from the same pack could not be captured and remains in the wild without a collar.
With the addition of these new wolves, the state’s known wolf population now stands at 14, including survivors from the initial reintroduction in December 2024, pups born to reintroduced wolves, and adults from a pack established by wolves migrating from Wyoming.
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