CPW kills elusive uncollared wolf in Routt County believed responsible for 10 depredation events since 2025
The wolf was linked to 10 confirmed depredation events involving 22 sheep, and CPW said producers had already used nonlethal deterrents.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife killed an uncollared gray wolf on Friday in Routt County after the animal attacked 22 sheep across the Western Slope since summer 2025.
- Originally a member of the Copper Creek Pack, the wolf became orphaned in late summer 2024 after escaping capture while other pack members were sent to a wildlife sanctuary.
- Despite ranchers deploying range riders, livestock guardian dogs, and "scare devices," attacks persisted. CPW determined the situation met "chronic depredation" criteria—three confirmed events in 30 days with "clear and convincing evidence."
- Governor Jared Polis issued his first statement regarding a wolf death, calling it a "challenging management decision." CPW Director Laura Clellan said lethal action was necessary to stop repeated attacks.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing reintroduction efforts as CPW has approved more than $1.3 million in reimbursement claims for wolf attacks since the program began.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Aspen Times
Colorado Parks and Wildlife kills ‘elusive’ wolf tied to attacks on at least 22 sheep since 2025
Colorado Parks and Wildlife killed an uncollared wolf on Friday in Routt County. The wolf — which was born to the Copper Creek Pack in spring 2024, but separated from the pack that fall — has been tied to 10 confirmed depredation events involving 22 sheep in both Rio Blanco and Routt counties since 2025. Parks and Wildlife has made multiple unsuccessful attempts to kill this wolf after it has repeatedly attacked livestock, including an attempt …
CPW kills elusive uncollared wolf in Routt County believed responsible for 10 depredation events since 2025
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has killed a lone, uncollared wolf believed to be responsible for 10 confirmed depredation events since the summer of 2025, the agency announced Saturday.Officials said video evidence showed the wolf originally a member of the Copper Creek Pack was the same elusive wolf responsible for depredations in Rio Blanco County in 2025 and early 2026. Officials had made several previous attempts to "lethally remove" the wolf,…
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