Colorado Parks and Wildlife has Released Five Gray Wolves in Colorado

Amidst an ongoing lawsuit from the state’s cattle industry, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released five gray wolves onto public land in the Centennial State.

The release took place in Grand County, which is home to several popular tourist destinations including Winter Park, Hot Sulphur Springs, Granby, Fraser, Kremmling, and Grand Lake. The group of wolves that were relocated from Oregon consists of two juvenile males, one adult male, and two juvenile females. The animals range in weight from 68 to 108 pounds.

The lawsuit from the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and the Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association sought to block the reintroduction, alleging that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to adequately review the potential impacts of Colorado’s plan to release up to 50 wolves over the next several years.

While the lawsuit will continue, the judge’s ruling allows Colorado to proceed with its plan. The deadline to for reintroduction under the voter approved initiative is Monday, December 31st.