Colorado Plans First Wolverine Reintroduction in Over a Century

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will unveil the Colorado Wolverine Restoration Plan on January 15, 2026, at a Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting in Denver, the first formal effort to restore wolverines to Colorado after more than a century of absence. One of three planned release zones runs north of Interstate 70 and includes Rocky Mountain National Park, putting Larimer County's high country in one of three reintroduction zones.

CPW will translocate up to 15 wolverines per season over three or more years—45 total—depending on capture success and survival rates.

CPW estimates Colorado can sustain roughly 100 wolverines once established, representing about a quarter of the population in the Lower 48 states.

"Colorado has great unoccupied wolverine habitat, and we have the opportunity to conserve a species that has been missing from our state," said Sen. Perry Will, who sponsored the enabling legislation. "Our legislation provides Coloradans with the ability to advance conservation while maintaining the management flexibility required to restore this species in a reasonable and efficient manner."

Suitable wolverine habitat in Colorado sits at 10,000 feet elevation and above. Over 94 percent of wolverine habitat lies on public land, with nearly 70 percent in protected federal land—wilderness areas, national parks, and roadless zones.

Wolverines are federally listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The restoration hinges on a federal "nonessential experimental population" designation, or 10(j) rule, which allows managers flexibility to protect ranching and winter recreation interests.

"A planned reintroduction under the management flexibility of a 10(j) rule would bring in about 45 wolverines with a broad genetic background," said CPW Wolverine Coordinator Dr. Robert Inman. "This will have a far greater chance of establishing a robust long-term population than a single male and female wandering into Colorado, finding each other, and producing enough young to establish a population. Colorado and the wolverine population will be better off with a planned reintroduction."

Senate Bill 24-171, passed in 2024, requires CPW to adopt a wolverine depredation compensation rule mirroring mountain lion and black bear policies. CPW presents its proposal to the Commission on January 15.

CPW does not expect significant livestock depredation, based on experience in Montana and Idaho.

Colorado Ski Country USA, representing the state's ski industry, signaled support for the effort. "We support the reintroduction of Wolverine with the 10(j) rule and applaud CPW for its commitment to conservation of this remarkable species and doing so in a way that addresses our industry's concerns," said Melanie Mills, president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA.

"A 10(j) rule will be crucial to the fulfillment of the effort," said Acting CPW Director Laura Clellan. "We are asking the federal government to support our work by utilizing a focused and concise NEPA process to finalize a 10(j) designation so that the state can move forward."

CPW will post ongoing updates on the 10(j) NEPA process and wolverine restoration on its website for residents in the northern release zone.