The state anticipated conflicts when Parks and Wildlife officials released five gray wolves onto public lands in Grand County in December to reestablish wolves in Colorado.
Lawmakers created a compensation fund offering up to $15,000 once Wildlife officials confirm wolves have killed livestock or working animals. Owners file a claim in which they can ask for the value of the animal or the production lost because of the killing.
Colorado law also requires Parks and Wildlife to help ranchers prevent and resolve conflicts. The state offers “a suite of non-lethal tools” and expertise, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Travis Duncan said in an email.
In 2024, state officials loaned out fox lights or motion-triggering scare lights at 11 properties. Last year, fladry — a line of bright red flags — was installed on five projects.
The state has purchased more than $74,000 worth of conflict minimization materials.
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