Colorado’s gray wolves have been tracked roaming farther into the Western Slope, with at least one wolf setting foot in a watershed that extends to the Utah border, according to a new map released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) on February 26, 2025.

The February map is the first full month of location data that includes 15 wolves captured in Canada and released in Colorado in January. These wolves have been tracked in watersheds that span western, northern, and central Colorado, from Grand Junction to Vail and the Wyoming border to Salida. The map shows wolf activity between January 21 and February 25, 2025.

CPW spokesperson Rachael Gonzales explained that wolves translocated to Colorado have made broad movements across many western counties. The map highlights watersheds where at least one wolf wearing a GPS collar was tracked, but it does not necessarily mean the wolves roamed throughout the entire area or are still there.

The first year of Colorado’s voter-mandated gray wolf reintroduction has faced several legal challenges and other hurdles, including the capture and relocation of most of the Copper Creek pack after a series of livestock killings near Kremmling. State wildlife officials are working with local ranchers to inform them when wolves are in the area and to help implement deterrence measures.

The new map shows that gray wolves have traveled in watersheds that include Rio Blanco, Grand, Jackson, Summit, Eagle, Pitkin, Chaffee, Park, Teller, and Fremont counties. This broad range of movement indicates that the wolves are exploring their new environment and establishing territories.

As the gray wolf population continues to grow, it is anticipated that wolves will expand their distribution throughout the state. CPW staff use GPS collar data to track the wolves’ movements, recording a position every four hours and transmitting the data via satellite to biologists.

The reintroduction of gray wolves to Colorado is a significant step in restoring the state’s natural ecosystem. However, it also presents challenges for local communities and wildlife management. CPW remains committed to monitoring the wolves and working with stakeholders to ensure a balanced approach to wildlife conservation.

©️ The Rocky Mountain Dispatch LLC. 2025