Pueblo, Colo. – The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission met in Durango this week for the first day of its two-day session, where discussions about wolves dominated much of the agenda. The commissioners spent several hours addressing two wolf depredation claims, reviewing the status of the state’s wolf reintroduction program, and examining strategies for minimizing conflicts between wolves and livestock.
Approval of $32,768 Claim for Wolf Depredations
The meeting kicked off with the discussion of a significant claim totaling $32,768, filed by a rancher who had suffered financial losses due to confirmed wolf depredations. The claim covered the deaths of two calves and the mysterious disappearance of 14 others in 2024. Travis Black, CPW’s northwest regional manager, explained that a district wildlife manager had assessed the ranch and suggested a range of tools to help mitigate future wolf-related incidents. The producer had also employed their own range rider and was issued a nonlethal hazing permit in March 2024, though it had not yet been used.
After some deliberation, the CPW Commission unanimously voted to approve the claim, which will provide compensation for both the confirmed depredations and the missing livestock.
Tabling of $2,542.41 Claim Amid Disagreement Over Labor Costs
The commission also discussed a separate claim filed by Don Gittleston, a rancher from Jackson County, who sought $2,542.41 in compensation for a wolf attack on a heifer. While the CPW staff and Gittleston agreed on the majority of the claim, they were at an impasse over a $435 portion that Gittleston had included for labor costs. The rancher argued that this sum reflected the time and effort he had spent caring for the injured animal, which had required three months of veterinary care to recover from a serious leg injury.
Gittleston defended his request, stating that his labor costs were far below what it would have cost to hire a veterinarian. He emphasized that the heifer had survived the attack and even calved later in the year, which he described as a positive outcome considering the circumstances.
However, CPW commissioners expressed concerns about approving the labor costs, fearing it could set a costly precedent for future claims. Commissioner Dallas May voiced hesitation, stating, “I’m not comfortable going outside our regulations. This obviously is not something that is going to make or break Mr. Gittleston, but the decision has far-reaching implications.”
After further discussion, the CPW Commission voted to table the claim, agreeing to revisit it once they had a clearer process in place for evaluating and approving such claims, particularly those involving labor for veterinary services. The rancher, for his part, expressed willingness to wait for the resolution, noting that the matter should be settled at the commission’s level.
Ongoing Efforts to Balance Wildlife Conservation with Rancher Concerns
The CPW Commission’s meeting highlighted the complexities of managing Colorado’s wolf reintroduction program. While many commissioners acknowledged the fairness of Gittleston’s request, they were wary of the potential for higher payouts in the future if similar claims were approved without clear guidelines. As the state works to balance wildlife conservation with the concerns of ranchers, discussions like these are expected to continue as part of the ongoing effort to address depredation issues and minimize conflicts between wolves and livestock.
While the exact timeline for addressing the tabling of Gittleston’s claim remains unclear, the CPW Commission is committed to creating a more structured process to ensure that such claims are evaluated fairly and within the confines of its regulatory framework. As wolf populations grow in Colorado, the challenge of balancing environmental goals with the interests of local ranchers will likely remain a central issue for the CPW Commission in the years to come.
