Just as the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved a $100,045 payout to a rancher for cattle losses caused by the Copper Creek wolf pack in 2024, the same pack struck again—killing a calf in Pitkin County.
This marks the eighth confirmed kill by the controversial wolf pack this year. The attack continues to drive up the financial and emotional toll for local ranchers and Colorado taxpayers, with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) footing the bill through the state’s wolf compensation fund.
The Coloradoan was on site with McCabe Ranch lessee Brad Day and neighboring rancher Mike Cerveny of Lost Marbles Ranch on July 19 when they discovered the dead calf on a grazing allotment. CPW wildlife damage specialist Ethan Kohn later confirmed there was strong evidence of a wolf kill.
“There was a bear right there,” Day said, pointing to the nearby grove. “If we had waited any longer, the bear would’ve eaten the calf and destroyed the evidence. This whole thing is just very frustrating.”
CPW spokesperson Luke Perkins confirmed that the Copper Creek pack was responsible, although the exact wolf involved could not be identified due to the age of the wounds.
So far, seven of the eight wolf kills this year in Pitkin County involved calves from McCabe and Lost Marbles ranches. Ranchers also believe several unconfirmed wolf attacks have occurred, despite using range riders for protection.
A History of Conflict
The Copper Creek pack’s issues didn’t begin this year. On July 18, CPW approved a payment to Farrell Livestock for 2024 losses and had earlier awarded them $287,407 for indirect impacts like lower weaning weights and conception rates—blamed on wolf-induced stress.
Last year, the pack was linked to most of the 18 confirmed depredations in Grand County, leading CPW to capture and temporarily hold the wolves in a sanctuary. However, in a controversial move, CPW rereleased the same pack this January—against the state’s wolf recovery guidelines, which discourage rereleasing wolves known to kill livestock.
CPW Director Jeff Davis admitted he alone made the call to rerelease the pack near McCabe and Lost Marbles ranches. His decision has drawn sharp criticism from ranchers and lawmakers due to the escalating costs and risks.
Pack Den and Population Growth
Since their rerelease, the Copper Creek wolves have continued to kill livestock. The pack’s current den is located near the site of recent depredations, and a new litter of pups was born this spring.
Following multiple attacks over Memorial Day weekend, the state lethally removed a yearling wolf on May 29. But the broader issue remains unresolved, as the pack continues to jeopardize livestock and strain Colorado’s wildlife management resources.
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