Not much has gone well for 25 wolves transplanted into Colorado since citizens narrowly passed a controversial 2020 ballot initiative forcefully wolves into the state. What happened in March 2026 only highlights that.
On March 11, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) received a mortality signal in northwest Colorado for gray wolf 2310, the maternal member of the King Mountain pack.
“Colorado Parks and Wildlife is leading the mortality investigation in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” according to a CPW news release. “A final determination of the cause of death will not be made until the investigation is completed, including the necropsy, a foundational component of the overall investigation process. No additional details are available at this time.”
That marks the 14th death of the 25 wolves introduced into Colorado from Oregon and British Columbia. One of those died during routine collaring operations in late January.
On March 12, CPW announced the suspension of operations to find and lethally remove an uncollared wolf responsible for the chronic depredation of cattle in Rio Blanco County.
“With no snow on the ground in the area and challenging terrain, we are choosing to suspend this effort,” said CPW Director Laura Clellan. “We are grateful to the producers who have been working with us at every step since depredations began in the area in July of 2025 and who have deployed multiple forms of nonlethal conflict mitigation techniques.”
Since December 2023, CPW confirmed that wolves killed 57 cattle, 24 sheep, five working dogs and one llama across 10 counties as the wolf population spread. Those numbers do not account for unconfirmed or unreported livestock depredations.
About Hunt 2 Conserve
Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org.
(Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
