Colorado’s Wolf Reintroduction Debate: Hunters, Anglers, and Conservationists Take a Stand
The ongoing saga surrounding Colorado’s gray wolf reintroduction took a dramatic turn this week, as a powerful coalition of hunters, anglers, and wildlife conservation groups announced formal opposition to a new ballot initiative aiming to repeal key measures of the state’s program. At the heart of this debate is Initiative #35, slated for the 2026 ballot, which threatens to upend years of contentious policy—and it’s a flashpoint for Coloradans passionate about wildlife management, rural livelihoods, and the future of gray wolves in the state.
The Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project, an umbrella organization representing 22 groups such as Ducks Unlimited and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, made its stance unmistakable: they are not in favor of Initiative #35. This is significant, given that their membership spans both those who champion wildlife conservation and those most impacted by wolf reintroduction—the state’s ranchers and rural communities. In a recent letter to Patrick Davis (head of Colorado Advocates for Smart Wolf Policy), coalition leaders acknowledged ongoing disagreements yet recognized the open dialogue that has characterized recent efforts.
The complexities are stark. Wolves were reintroduced after 2020’s Proposition 114 won a tight statewide victory, despite being rejected in nearly every Western Slope county—home to the livestock now facing heightened predation. Since then, more than two dozen wolves have come from Oregon and British Columbia, bringing both ecological excitement and economic anxiety. The coalition urges a pause in further reintroductions until the state’s management plan—meant to protect ranchers and foster stable wolf populations—is fully implemented and operational.
But for the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project, Initiative #35 doesn’t go far enough in safeguarding landowners or wildlife managers. They argue that the ballot measure lacks the necessary protections and essentially distracts from more impactful, proactive policy development. The state’s timeline adds another twist: by November 2026 (the date of the public vote), most wolf reintroduction goals may already be met, rendering the repeal symbolic at best.
Legal wrangling further complicates the landscape. Initiative #35 faces challenges for bundling too many subjects into one measure, including an end to reintroductions, reclassification of gray wolves, bans on out-of-state imports, and expanded definitions around herding animals. Critics argue these multifaceted changes violate state requirements on single-subject ballot measures. Meanwhile, Davis’s camp continues fundraising and rallying support, insisting their multi-pronged approach—spanning legislative, ballot, and regulatory actions—is the path forward. "These combined approaches," Davis wrote, "are important, powerful, mutually reinforcing, and comprise a serious strategy for better outcomes. We support all of the above and hope all stakeholders will too."
With legal decisions, ballot deadlines, and passionate voices on all sides, the question of wolves in Colorado is far from settled. Will careful management or heated politics ultimately decide the fate of these apex predators? The stakes for conservation, ranching, and Colorado’s wild places could not be higher. What do you think—should gray wolves remain part of Colorado’s future? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
