Troubled Colorado Wolf Pack Faces Lethal Action After Killings

Colorado Parks and Wildlife seems to have its hands full with dealing with the relocation of wolves back into the state as of late. The first round of relocated gray wolves into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado has been a bit troublesome.

Another Livestock Attack in Pitkin County

According to 9 News, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is actively on the hunt for one or more wolves from the Copper Creek pack after another depredation has occurred in Pitkin County.

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The latest depredation was confirmed on July 18, and the division of Colorado Parks and Wildlife has decided to take action. Staff have been in the area of the depredation since July 20, attempting to locate the wolves.

READ MORE: Gray Wolf Euthanized in Colorado After Continued Livestock Deaths

The Holy Cross Cattlemen's Association requested a permit to lethally remove the wolf, or wolves, that are responsible for the continued killing of livestock. This permit was denied because Colorado Parks and Wildlife is actively working on locating the wolf or wolves to lethally remove them.

CPW Moves Forward with Wolf Removal

Colorado Parks and Wildlife opted to move forward with the lethal removal of the wolf after a calf was killed and found dead on July 18. This would not be the first time that Colorado Parks and Wildlife has had to kill a gray wolf from the Copper Creek pack. Officials euthanized one of the pack members on May 29, 2025, after numerous depredations occurred during May.

READ MORE: Controversy Builds Over Colorado’s Wolf Reintroduction Program

The Copper Creek wolf pack was removed from Grand County, Colorado, last year. These wolves were removed from the wild for several months, then relocated to Pitkin County in January.

Ranchers Request Full Pack Removal

The Holy Cross Cattlemen's Association has requested that Colorado Parks and Wildlife remove the entire Copper Creek wolf pack from the wild. Colorado Parks and Wildlife denied the removal request.