Colorado Euthanizes Wolf Preying on Livestock Amid Reintroduction Debate

In an unprecedented move, at least in Colorado, Parks and Wildlife officials have done the unthinkable and have dispatched one of their newly-introduced wolves. Mixed up in four confirmed depredation events within a one-week timeframe, the wolf, identified as 2405, was euthanized in Pitkin County late last week.

As a member of the infamous Copper Creek Pack - who, if you’ll recall, has been captured, quarantined, re-released and relocated all within the last 6-8 months - was also implicated in a Memorial Day weekend bloodbath across three western Colorado ranches.

In a press release, officials noted that 2405 was responsible for killing two calves and injuring three calves and a cow across several ranches, meeting CPW’s criteria for “chronic depredation” (three or more attacks within 30 days, with clear evidence for at least one). Despite efforts by ranchers to use non-lethal deterrence methods, CPW made the decision to remove the wolf to prevent further livestock attacks, while continuing to monitor the pack’s behavior.

“The decision to take lethal management action was very difficult,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “Our wildlife biologists and officers constructed a timeline of recent events that shows the depredation behavior met the conditions for chronic depredation that were defined earlier this year. We have great respect for these animals and take the removal of a wolf very seriously. Removal of problem animals is unfortunate and rare, but consistent with the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.

“We remain committed to both wolf restoration and to Colorado’s livestock producers,” Davis said. “We have been focused on improving our communication and coordination with the agricultural community. The producers in this area have been working constructively with CPW on deployment of multiple non-lethal conflict mitigation efforts. The intent of this management action is to discourage other pack members from unnaturally shifting to livestock as their primary source of food. This action will help ensure that wolves and packs that are targeting natural prey serve as the foundation for a sustainable population. Most of the wolves in the state are sticking to natural food sources and avoiding livestock conflicts.”

According to CPW, the timeline of depredation events that prompted this management action is as follows:

• May 17, 2025: Injury to one calf determined to be caused by a wolf. Collar data cross-reference indicates a gray wolf from the Copper Creek Pack was in the area. The depredation event was on private property. 

• May 23, 2025: One calf deceased. CPW found clear and convincing evidence the depredation was caused by a gray wolf. Collar data cross-reference indicates a gray wolf from the Copper Creek Pack was in the area. The depredation event was on private property. 

• May 24, 2025: One calf deceased and one calf injured. CPW found clear and convincing evidence the depredation was caused by a gray wolf. Collar data cross-reference indicates some wolves from the Copper Creek Pack were in the area. The depredation event was on private property. 

• May 25, 2025:  Injury to one cow and injury to one calf. CPW found clear and convincing evidence the depredation was caused by a gray wolf. Collar data cross-reference indicates some wolves from the Copper Creek Pack were in the area. The depredation event was on private property. 

As stated above, this marks the first lethal removal of a wolf under Colorado’s controversial gray wolf reintroduction program, which began in December 2023 following a 2020 voter mandate. The Copper Creek Pack, formed by two reintroduced wolves that bred and produced pups, had previously been relocated from Grand County to Pitkin County in January 2025 after earlier depredations.

The action has intensified tensions between stakeholders, with ranchers, represented by groups like the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, who are growing tired of “relocation efforts” that seemingly only serve to spread the problem around rather than address it.