Want Colorado to Stop Bringing in Wolves? You Have Time to Sign a Petition
- Anne Boswell Taylor
- Jun 29
- 3 min read
No more wolves!
Colorado voters approved a ballot initiative in 2020 to reintroduce wolves to Colorado but now a group is circulating a petition to get a ballot question to halt anymore of it.
Stan VanderWerf of Colorado Springs and Spencer Thomas of New Castle, Colorado have taken their question to the Colorado State Title Board and it's been approved. The question reads:
Single subject: End the reintroduction of gray wolves to Colorado. Be it Enacted by the People of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 33-2-105.8 amend (2) (d) as follows: 33-2-105.8. Reintroduction of gray wolves on designated lands west of the continental divide - public input in commission development of restoration plan - compensation to owners of livestock - definitions. (2) Notwithstanding any provision of state law to the contrary, including section 33- 2-105.5 (2), and in order to restore gray wolves to the state, the commission shall: (d) Take the steps necessary to begin reintroductions of gray wolves by DECEMBER 31, 2023, ANDENDREINTRODUCTIONS OF GRAY WOLVES BYDECEMBER 31, 2026, only on designated lands; and SECTION 2. Effective Date. This act takes effect on the date of the proclamation of the Governor announcing the approval, by the registered electors of the state, of the proposed initiative.
According to the Colorado Secretary of State's website, the following are requirements for citizens to get their question on the ballot, to stop anymore wolf imports.
At least 5 % of the total votes cast for Secretary of State in the previous general election.
If a citizen wants a change to the constitution, a constitutional amendment, they must do more.
Must also gather 2 % of registered voters in each of the 35 state Senate districts leg.colorado.gov+3sos.state.co.us+3ballotpedia.org+3.(Statutory and referendum initiatives do not require the district‑based component.)
The history behind the wolf reintroduction was Proposition 114, which was approved by voters on November 3, 2020. This statewide ballot measure directed the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to reintroduce gray wolves west of the Continental Divide no later than December 31, 2023, according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
It hasn't gone as smoothly as pro-wolf reintroduction groups had hoped. Many cattle ranchers on the western slope have had loss of cattle in Grand, Jackson, and Pitkin counties. While ranchers can apply for aid for the loss of livestock, up to $15,000 per animal, the state of Colorado is now having trouble keeping up with the claims which are in the hundreds of thousands of dollar range.
The wolves were to be introduced on the western slope but they've been on the move.
Here is a Colorado Parks & Wildlife map of wolf activity and movement throughout the state.
You can read more about wolf sightings here.
To date, there have been no verified reports of wolves in Southeast Colorado, although some believe they will be here soon enough.
The expectation right now is that the Colorado Parks and Wildlife will release ten to 15 more wolves each year until 2028 to build a population.
If you would like to sign the petition it will be making the rounds in Southeast Colorado, the county fairs and more. Baca, Bent, Crowley, El Paso, Kit Carson, Las Animas, and Lincoln counties will have a petition available to sign.
Or find a convenient location for you in this list.
The petition is due August 27, 2025
~Anne Boswell, anneboswell@coloradonewsyourway.com
###
Comments