Will some Northwest wolves call Colorado home?

A 2020 proposition in Colorado that passed and is now a state law requires the state to start reintroducing wolves by the end of this year.

Although a few wolves have wandered into Colorado from neighboring areas, it’s not enough to sustain a population, which is why wildlife managers hope to pack up several wolves from other states and resettle them along Colorado’s Western Slope.

There are no official estimates of the number of wolves in Colorado, although wildlife managers say there could be at least six in the state.

“It’s been way too long, a century essentially, since Colorado had a population of wolves,” said Michael Robinson, senior conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity.

Some studies suggest bringing wolves into areas where they've been wiped out can make the natural landscape healthier.

In a move to bring wolves back, Colorado sent letters requesting talks with wildlife officials in Washington, Montana, Idaho and Oregon.

If no state steps up, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Travis Duncan said Colorado will exhaust all options to reintroduce wolves.

The clock is running out, though. Colorado would like to begin moving wolves in mid-to late-December.