Overview

• The original bill sought a one-year halt on new wolf releases and to shift roughly $264,000 to insurance assistance during a special session on a $750 million shortfall.
• Gov. Jared Polis opposed suspending reintroduction, calling the proposal a backdoor effort that would not reduce the deficit.
• Lawmakers accepted an amendment to reroute about $250,000 while keeping reintroduction underway, with Colorado Parks and Wildlife expected to backfill from another state fund.
• CPW plans still target a December release in western Colorado, and the agency is already sourcing animals for that effort.
• Debate continues over costs and impacts, with sponsors citing livestock losses and about $3.5 million in program spending while conservation advocates point to wolves on the ground and pups born this year.