Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Southern Ute Tribe: Wolf Management

A Legacy of Conservation

Just 150 years ago, the future of Colorado’s wildlife was uncertain. Overhunting and water pollution had a harsh impact on deer, elk, pronghorn, buffalo, bear, birds, and fish, and many feared that some of these species would never recover. In 1870, the Colorado Territorial Legislature passed its first wildlife protection laws, and in 1879, the first wildlife protection agency was formed. The Colorado Division of Wildlife worked to set and enforce limitations, including banning the use of nets for fishing, setting season and bag limits, and even prohibiting hunting of pronghorn and bighorn sheep for over 50 years.

Modern Conservation Efforts

Today, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff have worked for over a century to ensure the health and future of Colorado’s state parks and wildlife through cutting-edge science and innovative conservation practices. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high-priority wildlife habitat through acquisitions and partnerships, and provides technical assistance to private and other public landowners concerning wildlife and habitat management. CPW also develops programs to understand, protect, and recover threatened and endangered species, administers the state’s trail program, and registers boats, snowmobiles, off-highway vehicles, and river outfitters.

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Wolf Management Agreement with the Southern Ute Tribe

In a significant step towards collaborative wildlife management, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe have signed an agreement around wolf management. The Southern Ute Tribe, with approximately 1,400 tribal members, has a rich history as the oldest residents of Colorado, inhabiting the mountains and vast areas of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Eastern Nevada, Northern New Mexico, and Arizona.

The agreement creates a framework for how CPW and the Southern Ute Tribe will communicate and deal with conflict regarding the reintroduction of gray wolves. It includes provisions for providing 24-hour notice about the locations of future wolf releases. The Brunot Treaty area, about 3.7 million acres of land in the San Juan Mountains, is a key region for this collaboration. In 1873, the Ute tribes ceded this acreage from their reservation to the federal government. In 2008, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the state crafted a new agreement to ensure the tribe maintains hunting and fishing rights in the region.

Respecting Sovereignty and Collaboration

Outside of tribal lands, CPW maintains its management purview over the wolves, but under the agreement, it will do so in a way that respects the tribe’s sovereign interest in its lands. The agreement also addresses how CPW will share wolf monitoring information and provide resources and assistance to reduce conflict with wildlife. This includes investigations into livestock deaths, training, education, and more.

This collaborative approach between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Southern Ute Tribe exemplifies a commitment to respecting tribal sovereignty while working together to manage and protect Colorado’s wildlife. It is a model for how state agencies and indigenous tribes can collaborate on conservation efforts, ensuring the health and future of wildlife and natural resources for future generations.

For more information on Colorado Parks and Wildlife and their initiatives, visit their official website.

For more information on the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and its history, visit this official website.

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