Home / Environment / Wolf Riders Patrol Colorado's Wild West
Wolf Riders Patrol Colorado's Wild West
5 Jun
Summary
- Range riders patrol Colorado to deter wolves from attacking cattle.
- Wolf reintroduction in Colorado has led to significant livestock losses.
- A license plate program funds Colorado's wolf mitigation efforts.
In Colorado, range riders are now patrolling the Western Slope to protect cattle from wolves following the reintroduction of the predators. These specialists, trained by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), use non-lethal tools like cracker shells and pepperball launchers to deter wolves.
Wolf reintroduction, approved by Proposition 114 in 2020, has resulted in significant livestock losses. By 2026, four wolf packs had killed or injured 37 cattle, costing the state $1 million in compensation, far exceeding its budget. This has created tension between urban and rural communities.
The range rider program, piloted in 2025 and expanded in 2026 with 15 riders on five-year contracts, is funded by a wolf-themed license plate program, not tax dollars. Riders undergo extensive training in tracking and conflict mitigation.
Despite initial reluctance from some ranchers, the program is proving effective, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding between landowners and wildlife agencies. The goal is to build a self-sustaining wolf population while minimizing negative impacts on livestock.
