Washington tribe rescinds offer to send 15 wolves to Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A Washington tribe that previously agreed to relocate 15 wolves to Colorado has rescinded their offer, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) says.

An agreement made in October of 2023 between CPW and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation stated CPW could catch wolves on tribal lands during the capture season, which spans from December 2024 to March 2025.

But in a June 6 letter to Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis, the tribe rescinded the agreement, citing concerns coming from Colorado tribes objecting the release of wolves in the state.

 “It has come to our attention that necessary and meaningful consultation was not completed with the potentially impacted tribes," a portion of the letter read. "Out of respect for the sovereignty, cultures and memberships of Indian Tribes in Colorado and neighboring states, who may be impacted by this project, the Colville Tribes cannot assist with this project at this time.”

Now, Colorado faces the uncertainty of where it will get its next source of wolves.

The state began the process of reintroducing gray wolves in December 2023, when Colorado sourced 10 wolves from Oregon as the result of a one-year agreement between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

According to CPW, reintroduction efforts require the transfer of 30 to 50 wolves over a time frame of three to five years.

The possible source states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have previously refused to provide wolves to Colorado for reintroduction efforts.