01/04/23
Help Us Keep Wolves Safe - $50,000.00 Reward
The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project will soon launch a $50,000.00 standing reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone killing any of Colorado's gray wolves. We received an amazing response for our supporters and have already received substantial commitments from some of our sister organizations.
As we did in December, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project will dedicate all of the donations that come in during January toward the reward fund, so if you're interested, please donate HERE.
As we did in December, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project will dedicate all of the donations that come in during January toward the reward fund, so if you're interested, please donate HERE.
12/28/23
Standing Strong for Colorado's Wolves
We are writing with some exciting news and asking for your urgent support. Now that Colorado is celebrating the launch of its groundbreaking wolf repatriation program, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project is looking to the future. As you know, our advisors have been in the field for nearly three years, working with local livestock producers to understand what it means to live with wolves again in the mix. This is the work that will ultimately prove how Colorado differs from our northern neighbors.
We already have a wolf management plan that directly addresses the need for non-lethal conflict reduction work when wolves are present near livestock. We have ranchers who are willing to give it a go, with our support and encouragement. And in 2024, our ‘Born To Be Wild’ license plate comes on line providing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s conflict reduction work and tools.
The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project will remain steadfastly engaged on these aspects of coexistence with wolves. However, we have no illusions that every Coloradan supports having wolves back on the landscape. Monitoring social media, we and our colleagues have noted a significant uptick in threats against wolves. We aim to turn down the heat on that public anti-wolf sentiment. How? By launching a substantial public reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone illegally killing gray wolves. The mere existence of a hefty reward will have a chilling effect on public bravado and actual conspiracies to do harm to Colorado’s wolves.
When we say substantial, we aren't kidding. To us, substantial means at least $50,000. That’s a significant investment towards a safer future for wolves. We are seeking commitments from our sister organizations to secure this goal, but we realize we need to have the money in the bank before we publicly announce the availability of this reward.
So far this month we have raised nearly $14,000 simply because wolves are finally back in Colorado. We are so grateful for your support, and we are committing this money to seed the reward fund. Now, we are asking you to consider a generous year-end donation, if it is within your means, to help us move closer to our $50,000 goal as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence.
Please CLICK HERE to contribute today to this critical project. It will save the lives of countless wolves.
We already have a wolf management plan that directly addresses the need for non-lethal conflict reduction work when wolves are present near livestock. We have ranchers who are willing to give it a go, with our support and encouragement. And in 2024, our ‘Born To Be Wild’ license plate comes on line providing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s conflict reduction work and tools.
The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project will remain steadfastly engaged on these aspects of coexistence with wolves. However, we have no illusions that every Coloradan supports having wolves back on the landscape. Monitoring social media, we and our colleagues have noted a significant uptick in threats against wolves. We aim to turn down the heat on that public anti-wolf sentiment. How? By launching a substantial public reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone illegally killing gray wolves. The mere existence of a hefty reward will have a chilling effect on public bravado and actual conspiracies to do harm to Colorado’s wolves.
When we say substantial, we aren't kidding. To us, substantial means at least $50,000. That’s a significant investment towards a safer future for wolves. We are seeking commitments from our sister organizations to secure this goal, but we realize we need to have the money in the bank before we publicly announce the availability of this reward.
So far this month we have raised nearly $14,000 simply because wolves are finally back in Colorado. We are so grateful for your support, and we are committing this money to seed the reward fund. Now, we are asking you to consider a generous year-end donation, if it is within your means, to help us move closer to our $50,000 goal as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence.
Please CLICK HERE to contribute today to this critical project. It will save the lives of countless wolves.
12/19/23
Conservationists Celebrate the First Release of Gray Wolves in Colorado
Monday, 18-Dec-2023 was a historic day in the history of North American wildlife management, as the first gray wolves were released in northwestern Colorado by Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff, beginning the process of restoring one of our native species. The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, along with conservationists throughout the country, celebrated the release, which was over three decades in the making.
Dozens of Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff were on hand to open the cages and release the animals, along with Colorado Governor Jared Polis, and Rocky Mountain Wolf Project science advisor Dr. Joanna Lambert.
The five wolves released on Monday were captured in northeastern Oregon on Sunday, treated by veterinarians, fitted with GPS collars, and flown to Colorado, spending only about 24 hours in captivity.
Dozens of Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff were on hand to open the cages and release the animals, along with Colorado Governor Jared Polis, and Rocky Mountain Wolf Project science advisor Dr. Joanna Lambert.
The five wolves released on Monday were captured in northeastern Oregon on Sunday, treated by veterinarians, fitted with GPS collars, and flown to Colorado, spending only about 24 hours in captivity.
05/20/2023
Governor Polis signs the bipartisan HB23-1265 'Born To Be Wild' Special License Plate
From left: Gov. Jared Polis; Matt Barnes; Dr. Joanna Lambert; Gary Skiba; Rob Edward; Anne Edward; Courtney Vail; artist Gillian Marie.
In Glenwood Springs, Governor Polis signed the bipartisan HB23-1265 'Born To Be Wild' Special License Plate sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco, Senators Janice Marchman and Perry Will. This new license plate will bring consistent funding to provide training, and equipment for non-lethal conflict measures to support voter-approved gray wolf introduction into Colorado, helping to prevent conflicts with livestock while also advancing wolf recovery.
Governor Polis also signed the bipartisan SB23-295 Colorado River Drought Task Force sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Perry Will, Representatives Julie McCluskie and Marc Catlin to build upon the Polis administration’s ongoing work to preserve and protect Colorado’s precious water resources, and to continue Colorado’s leadership addressing Colorado River challenges.
Earlier, at the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range, Governor Polis signed the bipartisan SB23-275 'Colorado Wild Horse Project' sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal and Perry Will, Representatives Mike Lynch and Monica Duran, to ensure that Colorado’s iconic wild horse herds will have a humane and sustainable future in Colorado. This legislation sets a national example for how the state, ranchers, advocates, local communities, conservationists and federal land managers can work together to achieve outcomes that benefit communities and the majestic wild horses.
Governor Polis also signed the bipartisan SB23-295 Colorado River Drought Task Force sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Perry Will, Representatives Julie McCluskie and Marc Catlin to build upon the Polis administration’s ongoing work to preserve and protect Colorado’s precious water resources, and to continue Colorado’s leadership addressing Colorado River challenges.
Earlier, at the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range, Governor Polis signed the bipartisan SB23-275 'Colorado Wild Horse Project' sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal and Perry Will, Representatives Mike Lynch and Monica Duran, to ensure that Colorado’s iconic wild horse herds will have a humane and sustainable future in Colorado. This legislation sets a national example for how the state, ranchers, advocates, local communities, conservationists and federal land managers can work together to achieve outcomes that benefit communities and the majestic wild horses.
05/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information Contact:
Contact: Rob Edward, (970) 236-1942, Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, musefire@outlook.com
Gary Skiba, San Juan Citizens Alliance, (720) 301-7895, gary@sanjuancitizens.org
Colorado General Assembly Approves 'Born To Be Wild' License Plate
DENVER, Colorado - As the Colorado General Assembly completes the last day of the 2023 session, two bills head to the desk of Governor Jared Polis which will make Colorado a model of gray wolf conservation. HB23-1265 creates a handsome new license plate that will support programs to prevent conflicts with gray wolves through non-lethal means. An image of the new plate is available at www.wolfplate.org. The other bill, SB23-255, creates a permanent appropriation to cover livestock losses to wolves. Both bills are the result of unprecedented collaboration between wildlife conservationists, hunters and livestock producers.
“The ‘Born To Be Wild’ license plate will move hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to Colorado Parks & Wildlife to fund non-lethal conflict reduction programs and tools. The plate will also support research to make those tools more effective,” said Rob Edward of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project. “We are very proud of the plate that our volunteers created, and grateful for the support of livestock producers, hunters, the bill sponsors and the Polis Administration in securing legislative approval.”
Featuring a gray wolf against the classic Colorado mountain background, under a sky lit by the Milky Way, the plate was a graduate project for Gillian Marie, a scientific illustrator living on the Front Range. Marie collaborated with Edward, his wife Anne, and other volunteers at the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project to develop the design.
“It’s been an incredible honor to have my work as a science illustrator contribute to the restoration of a native species that was nearly hunted to extinction,” said Marie. “Working alongside scientists, wildlife experts, naturalists and educators who are passionate about native species and ecosystem balance fueled my desire to continue work in this field.”
“The plate symbolizes Colorado’s forward-thinking commitment to restoring wolves to her vast wildlands,” said Edward. “The people of Colorado said they wanted wolves back, and that they wanted to make this work for everyone. The ‘Born To Be Wild’ plate is the physical embodiment of that commitment. It will help ranchers adapt to wolves without putting a dent in their bottom line, while also protecting Colorado’s repatriated wolves.”
Gary Skiba, Wildlife Program Manager at San Juan Citizens Alliance in Durango, said, “The Born to be Wild license plate is another demonstration of Colorado’s progressive approach to wolf restoration. Our thoughtful approach ensures that we can achieve true coexistence and avoid the conflicts seen in other states.”
Skiba noted that supporters of wolf restoration recognize the need to minimize the impact of wolves on livestock owners. “That’s why Proposition 114 spoke directly to the need for fair compensation for losses. Now, those who voted for wolves have a mechanism to contribute to a world-class conflict prevention program.”
Edward pointed out the plate will help to decrease demand from the compensation fund. “Preventing conflict with wolves averts the need for loss compensation. Notably, keeping the focus on non-lethal conflict management also decreases the odds of future loss to wolves.” Emerging scientific research suggests that wolf packs which experience human-caused loss are more prone to turn to killing livestock than packs that do not have members killed by humans.
The ‘Born To Be Wild’ plate should be available in early 2024. In the meantime, people interested in purchasing the plate can sign up at wolfplate.org to receive updates about the plate’s availability and details once the Department of Motor Vehicles makes the plate available.
High-resolution images of the plate are available upon request for print. The image available at wolfplate.org should suffice for web display.
Rob Edward, Strategic Advisor
Rocky Mountain Wolf Project
(970) 236-1942 (Voicemail)
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information Contact:
Contact: Rob Edward, (970) 236-1942, Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, musefire@outlook.com
Gary Skiba, San Juan Citizens Alliance, (720) 301-7895, gary@sanjuancitizens.org
Colorado General Assembly Approves 'Born To Be Wild' License Plate
DENVER, Colorado - As the Colorado General Assembly completes the last day of the 2023 session, two bills head to the desk of Governor Jared Polis which will make Colorado a model of gray wolf conservation. HB23-1265 creates a handsome new license plate that will support programs to prevent conflicts with gray wolves through non-lethal means. An image of the new plate is available at www.wolfplate.org. The other bill, SB23-255, creates a permanent appropriation to cover livestock losses to wolves. Both bills are the result of unprecedented collaboration between wildlife conservationists, hunters and livestock producers.
“The ‘Born To Be Wild’ license plate will move hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to Colorado Parks & Wildlife to fund non-lethal conflict reduction programs and tools. The plate will also support research to make those tools more effective,” said Rob Edward of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project. “We are very proud of the plate that our volunteers created, and grateful for the support of livestock producers, hunters, the bill sponsors and the Polis Administration in securing legislative approval.”
Featuring a gray wolf against the classic Colorado mountain background, under a sky lit by the Milky Way, the plate was a graduate project for Gillian Marie, a scientific illustrator living on the Front Range. Marie collaborated with Edward, his wife Anne, and other volunteers at the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project to develop the design.
“It’s been an incredible honor to have my work as a science illustrator contribute to the restoration of a native species that was nearly hunted to extinction,” said Marie. “Working alongside scientists, wildlife experts, naturalists and educators who are passionate about native species and ecosystem balance fueled my desire to continue work in this field.”
“The plate symbolizes Colorado’s forward-thinking commitment to restoring wolves to her vast wildlands,” said Edward. “The people of Colorado said they wanted wolves back, and that they wanted to make this work for everyone. The ‘Born To Be Wild’ plate is the physical embodiment of that commitment. It will help ranchers adapt to wolves without putting a dent in their bottom line, while also protecting Colorado’s repatriated wolves.”
Gary Skiba, Wildlife Program Manager at San Juan Citizens Alliance in Durango, said, “The Born to be Wild license plate is another demonstration of Colorado’s progressive approach to wolf restoration. Our thoughtful approach ensures that we can achieve true coexistence and avoid the conflicts seen in other states.”
Skiba noted that supporters of wolf restoration recognize the need to minimize the impact of wolves on livestock owners. “That’s why Proposition 114 spoke directly to the need for fair compensation for losses. Now, those who voted for wolves have a mechanism to contribute to a world-class conflict prevention program.”
Edward pointed out the plate will help to decrease demand from the compensation fund. “Preventing conflict with wolves averts the need for loss compensation. Notably, keeping the focus on non-lethal conflict management also decreases the odds of future loss to wolves.” Emerging scientific research suggests that wolf packs which experience human-caused loss are more prone to turn to killing livestock than packs that do not have members killed by humans.
The ‘Born To Be Wild’ plate should be available in early 2024. In the meantime, people interested in purchasing the plate can sign up at wolfplate.org to receive updates about the plate’s availability and details once the Department of Motor Vehicles makes the plate available.
High-resolution images of the plate are available upon request for print. The image available at wolfplate.org should suffice for web display.
Rob Edward, Strategic Advisor
Rocky Mountain Wolf Project
(970) 236-1942 (Voicemail)
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DOWNLOAD THE LICENSE PLATE IMAGE:
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In November 2020, Coloradans voted to embrace a future where restored populations of gray wolves could again roam the vast public lands of western Colorado. As Colorado completes a plan to reintroduce wolves by 2023, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project has laid the groundwork for Coloradans to live and work with wolves and other carnivores through programs that minimize conflict and maximize understanding.
Featuring a gray wolf against the classic Colorado mountain background, under a sky lit by the Milky Way, the plate was a graduate project for Gillian Marie, a scientific illustrator living on the Front Range. Marie collaborated with Rob Edward, his wife Anne, and other volunteers at the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project to develop the design.
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05/03/2023
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Travis Duncan
Public Information Supervisor 720-595-8294 / travis.duncan@state.co.us Parks and Wildlife Commission Approves Historic Final Wolf Restoration and Management Plan |
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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – After more than two years of extensive statewide stakeholder meetings and outreach via a series of public hearings, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission on Wednesday gave final approval to the final Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.
The plan was unanimously adopted through a two-step approval process that began at a CPW Commission meeting last month in Steamboat Springs. The final approval clears the way for CPW biologists to introduce wolves in the Western Slope area and meet the voter-approved deadline of reintroduction by December 31, 2023. “Within just 2-and-a-half years, and after robust stakeholder engagement, the Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved a responsible plan to implement the will of the voters and reintroduce gray wolves back to their historic range in Colorado," said Gov. Jared Polis. “This plan is better because of the thousands of Coloradans who provided thoughtful input, and I thank the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for their comprehensive work to develop this thoughtful plan. This science-based plan is the result of months of planning, convening stakeholder and expert working groups, and offering live and public comment opportunities, while factoring in the biological needs of the species, and creating the best possible chance for these amazing animals to be successfully restored to our state." |
"I thank the Commission, the team at CPW, the many experts, Coloradans, and stakeholders who dedicated so many hours of their time, and especially the passionate public that has remained invested from start to finish, sharing their ideas and helping to shape this plan to prepare for enacting the will of Colorado's voters,” the Governor concluded.
After the Draft Wolf Restoration and Management Plan was released Dec. 9, CPW's extensive public outreach efforts through in-person and virtual meetings, as well as on its website engagecpw.org, produced about 4,000 comments online and via in-person testimony from 232 people at its five public meetings across Colorado in January and February.
“The Wolf Restoration and Management Plan is a huge accomplishment for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the citizens of Colorado. In line with the will of Coloradans, we are on track to re-establish and restore wolves in Colorado by December 31, 2023,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “This would not have been possible without the tireless work of CPW staff and the Parks and Wildlife Commission, the members of both our advisory boards and the citizens and stakeholders who engaged and weighed in to make our wolf management plan the best for Coloradans and for wolves who will once again grace our Colorado landscapes.”
“We are so grateful to our advisory groups for providing their expertise to this plan and for those who came to public meetings and commented on the draft plan,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “As wolf reintroduction begins in Colorado, the input we received on this plan from a wide variety of stakeholders will help ensure a successful program in the years to come.”
“The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission was assigned the responsibility to develop a plan to restore and manage gray wolves in Colorado. The Commission is to be commended for its tireless, thoughtful and important work over the past two years in addition to its other statutory obligations,” said CPW Commission Chair Carrie Besnette Hauser. “The dedication by this group of volunteers to travel across the state to listen and learn from the public and key advisory groups shows a spirit of collaboration and compromise on an issue with many viewpoints. Throughout the process, the Commission also relied on talented experts and scientists, and remained cognizant of the impacts the plan and wolf reintroduction will have on Colorado’s Western Slope where reintroduction will occur.”
For more, click here.
After the Draft Wolf Restoration and Management Plan was released Dec. 9, CPW's extensive public outreach efforts through in-person and virtual meetings, as well as on its website engagecpw.org, produced about 4,000 comments online and via in-person testimony from 232 people at its five public meetings across Colorado in January and February.
“The Wolf Restoration and Management Plan is a huge accomplishment for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the citizens of Colorado. In line with the will of Coloradans, we are on track to re-establish and restore wolves in Colorado by December 31, 2023,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “This would not have been possible without the tireless work of CPW staff and the Parks and Wildlife Commission, the members of both our advisory boards and the citizens and stakeholders who engaged and weighed in to make our wolf management plan the best for Coloradans and for wolves who will once again grace our Colorado landscapes.”
“We are so grateful to our advisory groups for providing their expertise to this plan and for those who came to public meetings and commented on the draft plan,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “As wolf reintroduction begins in Colorado, the input we received on this plan from a wide variety of stakeholders will help ensure a successful program in the years to come.”
“The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission was assigned the responsibility to develop a plan to restore and manage gray wolves in Colorado. The Commission is to be commended for its tireless, thoughtful and important work over the past two years in addition to its other statutory obligations,” said CPW Commission Chair Carrie Besnette Hauser. “The dedication by this group of volunteers to travel across the state to listen and learn from the public and key advisory groups shows a spirit of collaboration and compromise on an issue with many viewpoints. Throughout the process, the Commission also relied on talented experts and scientists, and remained cognizant of the impacts the plan and wolf reintroduction will have on Colorado’s Western Slope where reintroduction will occur.”
For more, click here.
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04/19/2023
Gray Wolf. Photo credit: John and Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS
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Travis Duncan
Public Information Supervisor 720-595-8294 / travis.duncan@state.co.us Parks and Wildlife Commission provides guidance on Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan at April meeting STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. – At its April 6 meeting in Steamboat Springs, the Parks and Wildlife Commission provided guidance to CPW staff regarding the Revised Draft Wolf Restoration and Management Plan and requisite changes to Chapter W-10 regulations for nongame wildlife and Chapter W-17 regulations for damage caused by wildlife to make CPW regulations consistent with the Plan.
The Final Wolf Restoration and Management Plan and associated regulations are expected to be adopted at the next Commission meeting on May 3 - 4 in Glenwood Springs. At the meeting, the Commission provided feedback and heard public comment on the Revised Draft Plan and draft regulations and received an update on Tribal engagement and public comment. |
CPW staff made edits to the Draft Plan based on Commission consensus statements at the Feb. 22 meeting. A recap of these edits can be found here and the complete Revised Draft plan is available for review here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on CPW’s YouTube channel.
Southwest Deputy Region Manager Matt Thorpe serves as CPW’s tribal liaison for the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian tribes. Thorpe provided an update on CPW’s work on Tribal engagement with the Draft Plan.
“We’ve gone through a Tribal consultation process, which is a more formalized way to engage with the Tribes and it recognizes the importance of the government-to-government relationship,” Thorpe said.
Thorpe also introduced Councilwoman Vanessa Torres who sits on the Tribal Council for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
Torres summarized the Southern Ute Tribe’s concerns, including a request to limit releases to the Northern release zone outlined in the Revised Draft Plan, asserting the Tribe’s rights to monitor and manage game populations in the Brunot Area and expressing the Tribe’s support for long-term stable funding for wolf restoration and exploring the possibility of working in coordination with CPW to address gray wolf issues, including livestock depredation on the Reservation and big game impacts in the Brunot Area.
“The Parks and Wildlife Commission and CPW staff sincerely thank the Southern Ute Tribe and representative Vanessa Torres for attending the meeting and for outlining the Tribe’s concerns both in their public comment letter and in person at the meeting in Steamboat Springs,” said CPW Acting Director Heather Disney Dugan.
“We appreciate the comments made, and CPW acknowledges the Southern Ute’s Tribal sovereignty to manage their lands and CPW is looking forward to continuing discussions on a Tribal Wolf Management Plan or MOU that would outline in detail the responsibility of both the State and the Tribe in the management of gray wolves.”
Visit CPW’s Stay Informed page and sign up for the Wolf Reintroduction eNews to stay up to date with CPW’s Wolf Restoration efforts.
Southwest Deputy Region Manager Matt Thorpe serves as CPW’s tribal liaison for the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian tribes. Thorpe provided an update on CPW’s work on Tribal engagement with the Draft Plan.
“We’ve gone through a Tribal consultation process, which is a more formalized way to engage with the Tribes and it recognizes the importance of the government-to-government relationship,” Thorpe said.
Thorpe also introduced Councilwoman Vanessa Torres who sits on the Tribal Council for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
Torres summarized the Southern Ute Tribe’s concerns, including a request to limit releases to the Northern release zone outlined in the Revised Draft Plan, asserting the Tribe’s rights to monitor and manage game populations in the Brunot Area and expressing the Tribe’s support for long-term stable funding for wolf restoration and exploring the possibility of working in coordination with CPW to address gray wolf issues, including livestock depredation on the Reservation and big game impacts in the Brunot Area.
“The Parks and Wildlife Commission and CPW staff sincerely thank the Southern Ute Tribe and representative Vanessa Torres for attending the meeting and for outlining the Tribe’s concerns both in their public comment letter and in person at the meeting in Steamboat Springs,” said CPW Acting Director Heather Disney Dugan.
“We appreciate the comments made, and CPW acknowledges the Southern Ute’s Tribal sovereignty to manage their lands and CPW is looking forward to continuing discussions on a Tribal Wolf Management Plan or MOU that would outline in detail the responsibility of both the State and the Tribe in the management of gray wolves.”
Visit CPW’s Stay Informed page and sign up for the Wolf Reintroduction eNews to stay up to date with CPW’s Wolf Restoration efforts.
