First Wolf Pup Litter Spotted In Colorado Since 1940s

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Three wolf pups were spotted over the past five days with their parents in northern Colorado — marking the first time a litter has been seen in our state since the 1940s, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Wednesday.

A biologist and district wildlife manager with the agency each independently reported spotting the pups, and between Friday and Tuesday, their den site was observed three times from around two miles away, wildlife officials said.

The pups parents — M2101 “John” and F1084 “Jane” — are collared wolves known to live in Colorado, and they may have had more pups that haven't yet been spotted, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.

“We are continuing to actively monitor this den site while exercising extreme caution so as not to inadvertently jeopardize the potential survival of these pups,” said Libbie Miller, CPW wildlife biologist.

“Our hope is that we will eventually have photos to document this momentous occasion in Colorado's incredible and diverse wildlife history, but not bothering them remains a paramount concern.”

All three observations of pups have been made at dawn or dusk in low light conditions, the agency said.

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Staff are working with landowners in the area to implement practices to minimize the potential for conflict, officials said.

“It’s incredible that these two adult animals have traveled the distance and overcome the challenges they have to get here, and to now have pups in Colorado,” said Kris Middledorf, area wildlife manager for CPW.

“It’s our priority to ensure that they have the chance to thrive, so even as we have exciting news, we want to remind everyone that these animals remain endangered in Colorado.”

A ballot initiative to reintroduce gray wolves into Colorado — proposition 114 — passed in the November 2020 election.

"With voter passage last year of the initiative to require re-introduction of the wolf by the end of 2023, these pups will have plenty of potential mates when they grow up to start their own families,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement.

As a state endangered species, killing a gray wolf in Colorado results in a fine of $100,000, jail time, and a loss of hunting privileges. Harassment of wildlife is also illegal in the state.