PRESS RELEASE
RBC | CPW has been focused on creating a significantly expanded management program throughout the first year of voter-approved wolf restoration in Colorado. The efforts support the implementation of the Colorado Gray Wolf Restoration and Management Plan as the agency prepares for the second capture and release season.
“We’ve been listening to and working with all stakeholders in this historic restoration effort all year,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “The results are evident in our improved Conflict Minimization Program, the addition of new staff to work alongside producers, strengthened partnerships such as the Ad Hoc Working Group and Colorado Department of Agriculture, and now clear guidelines for producers as it relates to chronic depredation and lethal management considerations.”
At the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) meeting on Jan. 8, the PWC will discuss the final materials and documentation detailing how the agency is addressing the requests in the petition for rulemaking submitted to the PWC on Sept. 27 by 26 ranching and farming organizations and how the agency has satisfied the requests for tools and resources from the first year of gray wolf restoration. These actions are responsive to the requests and recommendations of impacted people and industries throughout the year and demonstrate important collaboration with landowners and producers.
The staff recommendation regarding the petition was included as a formal letter from the CPW Director to Parks and Wildlife (PWC) Commissioners in today’s mailing ahead of the January 8 meeting. A notification of the recommendation was also distributed to petitioners. The recommendation is to deny the petition requesting rulemaking. Rulemaking in this case is unnecessary because the seven conditions included have already been addressed. These topics will be covered in detail during the wolf update at the PWC meeting on Jan. 8 and include:
• Development of a state range rider program
• Development of rapid response team to address conflicts
• Non-lethal conflict techniques
• Site assessment program
• A definition of chronic depredation
• Collaboration with ranchers on carcass removal
• Development of a communication plan and consultation with local officials, communities and producers
The reference materials on the definition of chronic depredation and associated lethal management considerations were made available to the public on Monday, Dec. 23 in the meeting materials for the Jan. 8 meeting on the commission webpage. A copy of the letter and the meeting agenda will also be available in that location.
In the formal letter submitted to the PWC today, CPW Director Jeff Davis reiterates the biological importance of reintroducing additional wolves to the state and provides further details related to how the agency and its partners have already been addressing the conditions in the petition. The results of these efforts were shared in a CPW press release on Dec. 9.