The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association’s effort to delay the reintroduction of wolves into the state has been denied. While the lawsuit is ongoing, a federal judge ruled that the state can move forward with the transporting of around 10 wolves from the state of Oregon to Colorado by the end of the year which was the deadline within the voter approved initiative. The final version of the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan was approved in May 2023 by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. This plan stated that wolves would be reintroduced in 2023 once winter returned and the wolves would be released on state and private lands with specific locations kept private in order to protect private landowners. The first year releases were expected to be in areas between Vail, Aspen, and Glenwood Springs. The federal judge stated last week that she understood the Cattlemen’s concerns but that their arguments failed to persuade her that irreparable harm will occur.
