FWS Probes Colorado's Experimental Gray Wolf Management Amid Livestock Clashes
Published Date: 4/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants your input on how Colorado is handling gray wolves under a special rule that helps protect them while managing conflicts with livestock. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is working closely with the Service to share info, control wolf-livestock problems, and keep the public in the loop. This effort affects ranchers, wildlife managers, and anyone interested in wolves, with ongoing updates and actions planned throughout 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Compensation Funds Overrun for Ranchers
The notice states that verified wolf depredations in Colorado have "vastly exceeded the funds currently available under Colorado's existing livestock compensation scheme." This shortfall has been noted since the 10(j) Rule was implemented (reference to December 8, 2023) and the Service is seeking information on compensation sufficiency.
CPW Will Use Lethal and Nonlethal Controls
The December 12, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement commits Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to "implement proactive strategies and conduct or direct non-lethal and lethal control actions to reduce and/or resolve gray wolf-livestock conflict and human safety concerns." CPW also committed to share information and conduct public outreach.
Taking Wolves Attacking Livestock Allowed
The notice reiterates that the 10(j) Rule allows "the taking of wolves in the act of attacking livestock" on both private and public land and allows "agency take of wolves that depredate livestock," as part of Colorado's management framework established in the November 8, 2023 final rule and related implementation.
Service Requests Input on Compensation Program
The Fish and Wildlife Service invites information specifically about Colorado's livestock loss compensation program, including the sufficiency, timeliness, and accessibility of compensation funds and related processes. Comments are requested through June 5, 2026.
Service Seeks Info on Ungulate and Tribal Impacts
The Service is soliciting information on whether the experimental wolf population is having any impact on wild ungulate herds or populations, "including on Tribal lands," and on related procedures for nonlethal and lethal management.
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