Wolf Recovery

"One of my earliest assignments as an endangered species biologist,... young, wet behind the ears was to be the Wolf Recovery Project leader. When we reintroduced wolves, it was interesting." That was retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist, Ted Kuch and apparently, folks in Colorado are trying to bring that romance into their own state.

A Colorado ballot initiative would authorize the reintroduction of gray wolves on designated lands west of the continental divide. Supported by the Rocky Mountain Wolf Action fund, a group of "determined and growing group of conservationists,"  the initiative is naturally drawing opposition from Colorado ranchers.

The initiative would require the Colorado parks and wildlife commission, after holding statewide hearings and using scientific data, to implement a plan to restore and manage gray wolves on public lands only. The plan also claims it would provide fair compensation for owners of livestock for losses caused by gray wolves.

Colorado Republican State Senator Jerry Sonnenberg says the initiative is a bad idea.  The Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition points out that the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is already on record in opposition to a forced reintroduction.

If the initiative makes it on the ballot, it would be considered by Colorado voters during the November 2020 elections.