A bill that will transfer $264,268 in general fund taxpayer money planned for the capture and release of wolves in Colorado to health insurance affordability was passed by lawmakers during a special session to address the state's $800 million budget shortfall.
Senate Bill 25B-005 was passed Aug. 25 and now awaits the signature of Gov. Jared Polis, who is expected to sign the measure.
The amended bill was a win for wolf advocates who wish to see the state's voter-approved wolf reintroduction program continue and a loss for some western counties, livestock producers and hunting outfitters who have tried and failed at their own attempt to pause wolf releases.
As first introduced, the bill would have paused Colorado's controversial wolf reintroduction this year by removing the $2.1 million in state general fund money allocated to fund Colorado Parks and Wildlife's wolf reintroduction program.
However, that bill was amended to appropriate $1.8 million for wolf reintroduction this fiscal year while allowing other funding sources to pay for a third release of wolves expected this winter.
"Conservationists will remain vigilant for further attempts to thwart the will of voters," Rob Edward, president of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, stated in a news release. "Colorado voted to restore wolves to their rightful place in the hunting grounds of their ancestors in Colorado, and we intend to see that through."
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-Frisco), Sen. Marc Catlin (R-Montrose), Rep. Meghan Lukens (D-Steamboat Springs) and Rep. Matthew Martinez (D-Monte Vista).
"This is about not buying more wolves with General Fund dollars and instead putting limited resources where Coloradans need them most: affordable health coverage and programs that support families," Catlin said in a news release.
Edward stated in the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project news release that wolf advocates sent legislators "thousands of voter emails and phone calls" to denounce the original bill.
A group called Smart Wolf Policy is collecting signatures to get Ballot Initiative 13, which calls for repealing the 2020 voter-approved Proposition 114 measure to reintroduce wolves by Dec. 31, 2026, on the November 2026 ballot.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife said previously it is working with British Columbia for a second year in a row to capture and release up to 15 wolves in January. The agency said it is focusing those releases in the southern part of its preferred release sites, which includes the area between Gunnison and Montrose.
The state has released 25 wolves into Colorado during its first two releases. Ten of those wolves have died. The agency announced previously that four dens produced at least nine known pups — but likely more — this spring. The agency said it has 22 collared wolves in the state plus an unknown number of uncollared wolves.
The state's wolf recovery plan calls for releasing 10 to 15 wolves per year for three to five years.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado to reintroduce more wolves after lawmakers give OK
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