Another Sign Colorado's Wolf Reintroduction Has Gone Off the Rails

Five years after voters narrowly approved wolf reintroduction, it’s becoming impossible to ignore the reality: this program is not working, and Colorado needs to consider a pause.

The latest development came right before Thanksgiving, when Colorado Parks & Wildlife Director Jeff Davis quietly “stepped down.” This happened just days after Washington state’s wildlife board rejected Colorado’s request for 15 wolves by an overwhelming 8–1 vote. Even pro-wolf activists in Washington blasted Colorado’s effort as “ill-conceived ballot-box biology,” saying earlier translocated wolves “fared worse” and criticizing the state for asking for more after a federal ruling in October found Colorado violated the law when obtaining wolves from Canada.

The problems keep stacking up:

🐺 Twelve dead wolves in 18 months

🐄 Dozens of livestock losses

💰 Costs now five times higher than what voters were told in 2020

⚠️ A federal cease-and-desist letter over wolf acquisition

Despite this, and despite a state hiring freeze, Davis will continue collecting his $186,470 salary in a newly created “senior policy advisor” role that appeared only after his removal.

At this point, the wolf program has lost the confidence of ranchers, wildlife advocates, partner states, and everyday Coloradans. The public was promised a responsible, science-based process. Instead, we’ve seen missteps, federal violations, costly mistakes, and internal shake-ups.

With the legislative session restarting in January, lawmakers who previously pushed for a moratorium should renew their efforts. The governor may have threatened a veto last time, but the situation has only gotten worse.

Colorado deserves wildlife policy rooted in competence and accountability—not another year of chaos.