CPW temporarily pausing directive that guides gray wolf lethal removals

STATEWIDE, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) says it is temporarily suspending its chronic depredation directive for gray wolves.

According to CPW, it decided to pause the directive after evaluating translocation efforts, statewide wolf survival rates, and other biological factors. They say the directive helps provide guidance for gray wolf lethal removals in the state.

Now, CPW says it will look on a case-by-case basis, "using a very conservative approach to address the concern that population growth may not occur this biological year." According to officials, that year ends at the end of March 2027.

Since April of this year, CPW says it has lethally removed five wolves to address chronic depredation and is investigating one more mortality. Officials say these were done under the statutes for CPW concerning chronic depredation for gray wolves.

CPW says to address public concerns, it is releasing a mid-year population count that includes wolf pups born this year, on top of their annual count released each spring. They say there are four reproducing wolf packs in the state, plus a fifth pack of four siblings and several wolfs that don't live with a pack.

According to officials, 45 gray wolves are known statewide as of September 24. They say that includes 20 pups that were born this year, but that number is expected to fall by March 2027 due to typical survival rates. Pup survival last year was 82% from 2025-26 and adult survival was 61%.

CPW says its staff is investigating hair loss within two packs in the northwest part of the state that could be related to an infectious skin parasite and could possibly impact survival.

The agency says due to current population challenges with the wolves, CPW will evaluate additional requests for lethal removals on a more conservative basis, and will look at other factors before deciding on lethal removal, including reproductive success and population size.

With the pausing of its directive, CPW says it is instead focusing on the following actions:

• "CPW will continue to work with stakeholders on the two petitions concerning wolf depredation (Wolf damage compensation and Wolf chronic depredation petition) submitted to the Parks and Wildlife Commission.
• CPW will extend the range riding season in select locations based on conflict and producer willingness.
• CPW will continue to support livestock producers through non-lethal tools, technical assistance, site assessments and issuing Injurious Non-lethal Hazing (INLH) permits.
• CPW will continue to review Retroactive In The Act permit applications.
• CPW will continue to apply the standards of the current compensation regulations and ensure compensation for losses to wolves as defined within those regulations in a timely manner.
• CPW will continue to explore options for further translocations of wolves."

CPW says revisions to its directive are being evaluated with stakeholders and will be in place for the start of the wolf biological year on April 1, 2027, if any are made.

More information on CPW's work with gray wolves can be found on their website.

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