Keith Lusher 03.09.26
Colorado may soon see one of its most elusive native predators return to the high country.
State wildlife officials are moving forward with a plan to reintroduce wolverines to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, marking the first time the species could establish a population in the state in more than a century.
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the initial framework for the restoration effort in January. The plan stems from bipartisan legislation passed by the Colorado legislature in 2024 that authorized wildlife officials to bring the species back.
Under the proposal, up to 45 wolverines would be released over several years, with the first animals potentially arriving as early as 2027.
Wolverines once inhabited Colorado’s remote alpine regions but disappeared in the early 1900s. Historical accounts attribute their disappearance largely to trapping for their fur and poisoning campaigns aimed at predators.
Today, wildlife officials believe Colorado’s high mountains once again offer suitable habitat for the species.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, wolverines prefer cold, snowy terrain near treeline, typically at elevations above 10,000 feet. More than 94 percent of that habitat in Colorado is located on public land, with much of it inside wilderness areas, national parks and roadless forests.
Three regions have been identified as potential release zones: areas north of Interstate 70 including Rocky Mountain National Park, the central mountains between Interstate 70 and Highway 50 including the Elk and West Elk ranges, and the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado.
The restoration effort would involve capturing animals from established populations in places such as Alberta and British Columbia in Canada, as well as potentially Montana or Wyoming. Wildlife officials plan to relocate up to 15 wolverines per season for at least three years.
Each animal would be fitted with a GPS collar so biologists can track their movements after release. Wolverines are known for roaming vast territories, with females often covering around 100 square miles and males sometimes traveling across 300 square miles.
While the species is a carnivore, officials say livestock conflicts are expected to be minimal. Wolverines are largely scavengers that often feed on carcasses left by other predators.
Even so, the state is working to establish a livestock compensation program for ranchers if depredation occurs. Wildlife officials say similar programs already exist for predators like mountain lions and black bears.
Before releases begin, several additional steps must be completed. The state must finalize a livestock compensation rule, develop a communication plan with local governments and stakeholders, and work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate the population as a “nonessential experimental population” under the Endangered Species Act. That designation would provide more management flexibility.
Biologists estimate Colorado could eventually support around 50 to 100 wolverines. While that may sound small, experts note the species naturally exists at low densities throughout its range.
Conservation groups and wildlife officials say restoring the animal could strengthen the region’s ecosystem. Wolverines often help clean up carcasses in remote areas, which can reduce the spread of disease and contribute to overall ecological balance.
Unlike the controversial reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado, the wolverine proposal has received broad support from a range of stakeholders, including hunters, ranchers and ski industry leaders.
If the plan moves forward as expected, wolverines could once again roam Colorado’s highest peaks within the next decade.
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