Aspen, Colorado — The Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency is planning to euthanize an additional wolf from the Copper Creek Pack, following a recent incident in which the pack was implicated in the death of a calf near Aspen. Wildlife officials reported the calf sustained injuries attributable to a wolf attack, which eventually led to its demise.
Investigators identified significant evidence linking the Copper Creek wolves to the incident, with a wildlife damage specialist confirming the calf’s death as a result of an attack on July 18. Luke Perkins, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, explained that staff have been diligently searching for the wolves since July 20, though the challenging terrain has hampered their efforts to locate them.
The agency has faced ongoing challenges in managing the Copper Creek Pack after relocating them last winter. Since their reintroduction, the pack has been involved in several livestock attacks, with seven reported incidents and eight confirmed deaths in Pitkin County alone. As part of its management strategy, state officials previously killed a young male from the pack on May 29, marking the first lethal removal since the reintroduction of wolves to Colorado.
Despite hopes that the earlier culling would redirect the pack towards more natural prey, incidents have not subsided. Local ranchers near the pack’s den site continue to grapple with predation issues. The decision to target another wolf comes as part of a broader initiative to address ongoing conflicts between wildlife and livestock in the area.
The Copper Creek Pack was originally established with wolves captured in Oregon and released in late 2023. This marked a significant milestone in Colorado’s controversial initiative driven by voters to restore wolf populations in the state. However, the pack quickly began to prey on livestock, prompting further action from the wildlife agency.
In earlier attempts to manage the pack, CPW captured the wolves but faced complications after a breeding male suffered a gunshot wound and subsequently died. The remaining members were held in captivity until their release in January 2025, when they were relocated to Pitkin County along with another group of wolves from British Columbia. This decision raised concerns among wildlife experts, who warned that relocating wolves with a history of livestock predation could perpetuate the problem.
Jeff Davis, the director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, justified the relocation decision as a response to the unique circumstances surrounding the pack’s development. While he expressed optimism about the potential for establishing a self-sustaining wolf population in the state, he acknowledged the challenges that came with the management of these predators.
Tom Harrington, manager of the Crystal River Ranch near Aspen and a former leader in the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, indicated that livestock groups had sought permission to cull pack members but were denied due to ongoing agency actions. Harrington expressed cautious optimism about the removal but doubted its effectiveness, maintaining that without relocating or adequately managing the entire pack, incidents might persist.
Rob Edward, the director of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, emphasized the complexities of the situation, noting that the agency follows strict guidelines for lethal management of wolves. Edward stated that the recent attacks would require careful assessment to determine appropriate responses, reiterating the importance of balancing wildlife conservation with agricultural interests.