Colorado was anticipating the capture and translocation of gray wolves from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in order to move forward with the voter-approved wolf reintroduction effort. Last month, despite agreeing to help Colorado, the Tribes rescinded their “original authorization” to provide 10 to 15 wolves to the Centennial State later this year, according to The Denver Gazette.

“It has come to our attention that necessary and meaningful consultation was not completed with the potentially impacted tribes,” Colville Business Council Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson wrote in a letter dated June 6. “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.”

The record shows that the Tribal Government and Natural Resources Committees voted unanimously on rescinding Resolution 2023-752.

“Based on new information regarding the proposed reintroduction project in Colorado, and that we have now learned that the State of Colorado has failed to consult with the Southern Ute Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation cannot agree to the request made by the State of Colorado to provide wolves for this project at this time. It is further recommended that all Directives regarding the request from the State of Colorado that the Tribes provide wolves that were passed up to the date of this recommendation be rescinded, including, but not limited to, those passed on Sept. 19, 2023, and Oct. 3, 2023.”  

The decision throws a hiccup in the state’s wolf reintroduction effort though Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) acknowledged that the agency will continue to move forward.

“While this does change some of the more immediate plans for our reintroduction process, it does not halt our work toward successfully restoring gray wolves in Colorado,” said CPW spokesperson Rachel Gonzales. “We continue speaking with other potential sources of wolves and will take great care in implementing the plan to create a self-sustaining wolf population while minimizing impacts to our landowners, rural communities, and agricultural industries and partners.”

“Naturally, the decision made by the Colville Business Council and the Tribal Government and Natural Resources Committees is disappointing, but we have a strong relationship with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and hope to continue these conversations in the future,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “We will continue working with other potential sources for wolves to further our efforts to restore wolves to Colorado.”

As GOHUNT previously reported, the controversial wolf reintroduction effort was approved by voters in a first-ever ballot initiative. CPW was required to begin reintroduction efforts by Dec. 31, 2023. The first wolves were released on the Western Slope on Dec. 18, 2023; however, since then, they’ve been linked to livestock depredation, creating opposition to further reintroductions by farmers and ranchers in the state.

“We are not contemplating halting our implementation of the plan and will continue in our efforts to restore a sustainable population of wolves to the state while avoiding and minimizing impacts to our critically important agricultural industries and rural communities,” said Davis.