Ranchers Fight Against Wolf Reintroduction in Colorado's West Slope

Two ranching groups in Colorado have filed a lawsuit to block the release of wolves in western Colorado, arguing that the reintroduction should be reviewed under the National Environmental Policy Act. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) plans to begin releasing wolves from Oregon in the coming weeks as directed by a voter mandate. Supporters of wolves expressed disappointment with the legal action, calling it a last-ditch effort to delay the reintroduction. CPW's plan includes releasing 30 to 50 gray wolves in the first three to five years and reimbursing ranchers for livestock losses. The ranchers' lawsuit challenges the agreement between CPW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which designated an experimental population of wolves in Colorado.