Colorado wolf died from a gunshot, spurring a federal investigation

DENVER — A gray wolf in Colorado was illegally shot and later died from the wound, federal authorities said Thursday in Colorado’s latest flashpoint controversial, voter-driven initiative to reintroduce the predators to the state.

Colorado residents, largely in cities, voted to reintroduce the animals in 2020, clashing with those in rural areas who feared attacks on their livestock. The first 10 wolves were released a year ago, and since then there have been more than 20 claims of depredations – with wolves killing livestock or working dogs.

The wolf was part of the Copper Creek Pack caught at the end of August after the pack repeatedly killed local livestock in Grand County, just northwest of Denver, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The wolf died in early September and the investigation is still ongoing.

Officials said the wolf was found in poor condition, emaciated with injuries to its right hind leg that a necropsy revealed were caused by the gunshot wound. Wolves are protected in the state under the Endangered Species Act, and it is a federal crime to kill, injure or harass them without federal authority.

Colorado officials expect to release 30 to 50 wolves within the next five years with the goal of filling one of the wolves last big holes in the western US for the species, which in recent years has ranged from northern Canada to the desert southwest.

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Bedayn is a staff member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.