Uncollared Gray Wolf Killed By Officials in Colorado

An uncollared gray wolf in northwest Colorado that has been causing problems for ranchers has been lethally removed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Removes Uncollared Gray Wolf

white and black wolf in tilt shift lens

According to the news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the wolf was involved in numerous depredations in 2025 and part of 2026. Originally a member of the Copper Creek Pack, the wolf is said to be involved in ten different depredations involving 22 sheep in Routt and Rio Blanco counties.

In all of the incidents, clear and convincing evidence was present that the attacks on the sheep were caused by depredation of a wolf. The events also occurred despite the numerous measures for non-lethal conflict miniimization efforts by ranchers.

READ MORE: Colorado Ranchers Continue Dealing With Wolf Depredations

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officials and their agents lethally removed the problematic wolf in Routt County, Colorado, on June 12, 2026, after two additional depredation events on June 10 and 11.

The decision to pursue lethal actions is never an easy one but the circumstances around this wolf’s repeated depredation history made this a difficult but necessary decision,

Said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director, Laura Clellan, in the news release.

READ MORE: State Officials Kill Wolf After Livestock Attacks in Colorado

Use of conflict minimization efforts by livestock owners impacted by the uncollared wolf included:

• Conduction of a site assessment to identify viable, reasonable, and effective tools and techniques for operations.
• Deploying range riders
• Livestock guardian dogs and scare tactics
• Active human presence from herders
• Applications of injurious non-lethal hazing permits

The final report on the lethal removal of the gray wolf in Routt County, Colorado, will be posted to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website once completed.