The gray wolf (Canis lupus) was virtually eliminated from Colorado by the 1940s due to widespread eradication efforts across the Western United States. For decades, the species was considered extirpated, with only rare, naturally migrating individuals occasionally crossing state lines. This historical absence set the stage for a high-profile restoration effort, which has captured intense public interest and generated significant debate regarding its ecological and economic implications. The recent, voter-mandated reintroduction program has placed the status of the wolf population under a constant public and scientific spotlight. Understanding the current population requires looking beyond a single number to the dynamic, year-round monitoring efforts of state wildlife officials.
The Current Official Population Estimate
The official count of gray wolves in Colorado is a fluid figure, reflecting the ongoing reintroduction effort and the challenges of tracking a wild, mobile species. As of the end of the second biological year, a total of 25 wolves have been translocated to the state: 10 initially came from Oregon, and an additional 15 were sourced from British Columbia in early 2025. This number represents the combined adult releases managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The net population must also account for natural reproduction and known mortalities, making the total number of wolves on the landscape a constantly shifting calculation.
The first confirmed litter of pups from the reintroduced wolves was born in 2024, forming the state’s first new pack, the Copper Creek Pack. However, the population is subject to natural attrition from conflicts with other wildlife, human-related incidents, and natural causes, resulting in several confirmed deaths since the reintroduction began. The official estimate remains a minimum count that includes all known adults, their surviving progeny, and any naturally migrating wolves that have been verified. CPW measures the program’s long-term success by focusing on the number of successful breeding pairs and pack establishment, rather than a single total count.
Colorado’s Reintroduction Framework
The current wolf population exists because of a direct mandate from Colorado voters, who narrowly approved a ballot measure in November 2020. This measure directed the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop and implement a plan to reintroduce gray wolves onto designated lands west of the Continental Divide by the end of 2023. This effort made Colorado the first state to have its citizens drive a wolf reintroduction through a public vote. The comprehensive Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan was subsequently finalized, outlining the biological and social parameters for the program.
A primary goal of the plan is to establish a self-sustaining population of 30 to 50 wolves over a three- to five-year period through planned translocations. The first ten wolves were captured and relocated from Oregon, chosen for their genetic compatibility and known dispersal patterns. Following the initial releases in December 2023, the state secured an agreement to source additional wolves from British Columbia, Canada.
The plan also includes mechanisms for compensating livestock owners for depredation losses caused by wolves and outlines a framework for mitigating wolf-livestock conflicts. The state’s long-term objective is to achieve a population threshold that allows for the removal of the species from the state’s endangered species list.
Methods Used for Population Tracking
The official population estimate is derived from scientific monitoring techniques employed by wildlife biologists to track the highly mobile animals. The foundation of the monitoring program relies on satellite GPS collaring technology, which is affixed to all translocated wolves prior to release. These collars record an animal’s location multiple times a day, providing CPW staff with detailed data on movement patterns, territory use, and interactions with other wolves. This GPS data is used to generate public-facing maps that show wolf activity across broad watersheds, providing transparency without revealing the exact location of any individual animal.
To supplement the collaring data and account for uncollared pups or migrating wolves, biologists employ non-invasive techniques. Genetic analysis is a primary tool, involving the collection of biological samples such as scat or hair found in the field. Laboratory testing of these samples confirms the presence of a wolf, identifies the individual through its DNA, and provides information on pack structure and reproductive success.
Aerial surveys conducted during winter months are another method used to visually confirm the number of wolves in a pack, often by tracking movement patterns visible in the snow. The agency also relies on the public to submit confirmed wolf sightings, which are then scientifically verified by trained personnel to contribute to the overall picture of the population’s distribution and growth.