Colorado Parks and Wildlife lethally removed a member of the Copper Creek Wolf Pack in Pitkin County. Gray wolf 2405 was removed after determining livestock producers were experiencing chronic wolf depredation despite removing any attractants capable of luring wolves and implementing all reasonable non-lethal deterrence measures.
Four depredation events were confirmed between May 17-25, including three confirmed by clear and convincing evidence. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) will continue to monitor the Copper Creek Pack to confirm whether or not the lethal removal changes the pack’s behavior.
“The decision to take lethal management action was very difficult. Our wildlife biologists and officers constructed a timeline of recent events that shows the depredation behavior met the conditions for chronic depredation that were defined earlier this year. We have great respect for these animals and take the removal of a wolf very seriously. Removal of problem animals is unfortunate and rare, but consistent with the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.” – CPW Director Jeff Davis.
CPW defines “chronic depredation” as three or more depredation events caused by the same wolf, wolves, or wolf pack within a 30-day period. The organization considers four factors to determine if a situation requires lethal removal, including whether there’s been repeated depredation and harassment of a producer’s livestock or working dogs caused by the wolf, wolves, or pack, whether non-lethal conflict minimization materials and techniques have been utilized, the likelihood of additional wolf-related depredation continuing if lethal control is or is not implemented, and whether or not there’s been the intentional or unintentional use of attractants luring or baiting wolves to the location.
“We remain committed to both wolf restoration and to Colorado’s livestock producers. We have been focused on improving our communication and coordination with the agricultural community. The producers in this area have been working constructively with CPW on deployment of multiple non-lethal conflict mitigation efforts. The intent of this management action is to discourage other pack members from unnaturally shifting to livestock as their primary source of food. This action will help ensure that wolves and packs that are targeting natural prey serve as the foundation for a sustainable population. Most of the wolves in the state are sticking to natural food sources and avoiding livestock conflicts.” – Jeff Davis
Collar data indicated that a gray wolf from the Copper Creek Pack possibly injured a calf on private property on May 17, 2026. On May 23, CPW found clean and convincing evidence that a gray wolf killed a calf on private property and cross-referenced collar data indicated that the wolf was from the Copper Creek Pack. On May 24, another calf was found deceased and one calf was found injured. The depredation event again occurred on private property and collar data cross-reference indicated that a Copper Creek Pack wolf was in the area.
The following day on May 25, both a calf and a cow were found injured. CPW once again found clear and convincing evidence that the incident was caused by a gray wolf, and collar data cross-reference indicated that wolves from the Copper Creek Pack were in the area. The incident again occurred on private property.
On May 25 plans were made to secure permission from the landowner and safely remove the wolf as soon as possible.
