Wolves in Colorado are largely remaining on the Western Slope, according to a September map showing their movements over the past 30 days. This concentration of wolves in western Colorado stands in contrast to a year ago, when collared wolves were believed to have been in watersheds as far east as Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek, and Park counties, on the east side of the Continental Divide.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) clarifies that its maps indicate watersheds where wolves have been present, but do not mean that wolves have traveled throughout an entire watershed or currently occupy it.
Despite the geographic focus on the Western Slope, livestock losses due to wolf depredation continue to be a significant concern for ranchers. Wolves have killed nearly five dozen livestock across the state this year. The problem appears particularly acute in Rio Blanco County, where ranchers have reported the most wolf depredations over the last 14 months, with 13 incidents resulting in the deaths of 40 sheep, ewes, and lambs.
Specific incidents in Rio Blanco County highlight the ongoing challenges. In January, a wolf or wolves killed 11 sheep in a single day. Another incident in July saw a wolf or wolves kill five ewes in one day. Most recently, on September 6, a wolf or wolves were responsible for killing seven lambs in a single day.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife agents have taken action in response to these losses. Since the agency's 2025-26 annual wolf report, which covers April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, six wolves have died. Five of these six wolves were from packs born to wolves relocated to Colorado in 2023 and 2025. All five were shot by CPW agents. These specific wolves were believed responsible for killing dozens of livestock in Grand, Pitkin, and Rio Blanco counties.
Ranchers have also shared concerns regarding the hunting behavior of wolves. Ranchers told Colorado Politics that some wolves are believed to be hunting in packs. An example of this was cited in August, when one pack reportedly killed a bull in Pitkin County.
The 2025-26 annual wolf report from CPW indicated a population of 32 wolves in the state. However, the recent deaths of six wolves, including the five shot by CPW agents, reflect the ongoing management efforts and the continuing challenges faced by livestock producers in western Colorado. The continued presence of wolves primarily on the Western Slope means that residents and ranchers in Grand Junction and surrounding Mesa County, as well as those in neighboring counties like Rio Blanco, remain directly affected by wolf activity and management decisions.
