Colorado’s gray wolf reintroduction and the challenge for rural ranchers

Colorado Proposition 114 (or the Gray Wolf Reintroduction Initiative) passed narrowly in the 2020 election (by just 1.82%), causing a significant impact on rural communities. The Gray Wolf Reintroduction Initiative aimed to reintroduce gray wolves into western regions of Colorado. The proposition raised concerns about potential conflicts and disruptions to rural ways of life in the region.

Supporters of Proposition 114 emphasized the ecological benefits of reintroducing gray wolves, such as restoring natural predator-prey dynamics and promoting biodiversity. Organizations such as The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project raised over $2 million in support of Proposition 114. Their efforts were successful, but only in more urban areas. On the county level, 51 of Colorado’s 64 counties voted “no.” Notably, major opponents were the rural counties where the wolf reintroduction would happen.

Opponents of the proposition within rural communities raised valid concerns about the impacts of wolf reintroduction. They stressed the wolves’ threat to livestock, which would cause economic hardships for ranching families. Livestock depredation was seen as a significant risk that could result in financial losses, negatively impacting the rural economy.

Rural residents, particularly those engaged in hunting, were also concerned about the potential effects of gray wolves on big game populations. Hunting is not only a recreational activity of cultural significance, it is also an important economic driver in many rural areas. Decreased hunting opportunities due to wolf predation could have negative consequences for local businesses, outfitters, and the broader hunting community.

As it turns out, rural residents were justified in their concerns about the reintroduction of the gray wolves. Since wolves were protected under state law and the 2022 update to the federal Endangered Species Act, ranchers have been left with virtually no option to protect their livestock.

A rancher in Jackson County (population 1,363) is quoted in this 2022 report about the significant impact the reintroduction is having on his life. He cites a lack of sleep, loss of cattle, and fear for his personal safety as “wolves have lost their fear of humans.” This story is becoming all too common with article after article about livestock ranches being attacked and destroyed by wolf packs. In some cases, even family pets are getting killed. More stories can also be found in this earlier post.

As these wolf attacks continue to incite fear and devastation in these rural Colorado communities, rancher attempts to work with Proposition 114 supporters have started to decline. Originally, ranchers did their best to comply with no-kill laws. They even supported additional bills, such as SB23-255 (Wolf Depredation Compensation Fund) and SB23-256 (Management of Gray Wolves Reintroduction), and accepted government assistance to help mitigate their struggles. Although these bills would allow ranchers to receive (below market value) compensation for livestock lost and would require the reintroduction plan to be approved federally, ranchers are finding this assistance inadequate. As such, while attacks begin to increase, chances of a working partnership between ranchers and Gray Wolf Reintroduction supporters have diminished.

We look now to see if legislators will work with impacted stakeholders to solve this problem, as more wolf packs are set to be reintroduced this year. For now, the battle over this bill rages on.