Washington Rejects Colorado’s Wolf Request, Leaving Winter Releases in Limbo

The decision leaves Colorado without an approved source for planned winter releases under federal limits on where wolves can be obtained.

Overview

Washington’s Fish and Wildlife Commission voted overwhelmingly to deny Colorado up to 15 wolves for release this winter.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik told Colorado the next transfers must come from U.S. northern Rockies populations, blocking a pending British Columbia agreement.
With earlier refusals from Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, Colorado currently lacks a lawful source for this season’s planned translocations.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis called the third year of releases critical as reported survival of reintroduced wolves has fallen to about 60%, below expectations.
Washington officials cited the wolves’ endangered status, a 9% population drop to 230 in 2024, and limited public support, though the state’s wildlife director said a transfer was biologically possible.