Only 1 Colorado rancher has been paid following a wolf depredation this year. Why?

While there have been nine confirmed wolf attacks on livestock since the state began re-introducing the animals on the Western Slope in December, only one of those cases has resulted in a payout under the state’s compensation fund. 

That’s because, so far, there have been only two claims filed by impacted ranchers, according to state records. But the state wildlife agency expects that to change.

Under Proposition 114, the ballot measure that voters approved in 2020 to re-introduce gray wolves on the Western Slope, the state is required to compensate ranchers for any losses or injuries due to wolf attacks, also known as depredations. 

---

---

The compensation, up to $15,000 per head of cattle or working dog, is only granted when a depredation is proven as wolf-caused. 

One of the claims filed this year has resulted in a check of about $1,500 going out to a Jackson County rancher for a calf. The other claim, from a Grand County rancher for another calf depredation, is still pending. 

---

---

A third claim has been filed, as well, but the depredation hasn’t been proven yet as wolf-related, so it isn’t included in the state’s list, said Rebecca Ferrell, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Another rancher in Jackson County said he has filed another claim that hasn’t been processed.

The state’s online database also shows confirmed wolf depredations from wolves that entered the state naturally from Wyoming before reintroduction began.

When a rancher comes across dead or injured livestock that they believe was attacked by a wolf, their first step is to notify CPW, so they can come out and do an investigation. If the depredation is confirmed, the rancher is asked to fill out a form and include any receipts showing what their animal would have been worth at the time it was killed on the current market. 

Ranchers, who have until the end of the year to file their compensation claims, have several reasons to not submit them immediately.

One reason is the need to show receipts for how much the animal was worth, said Don Gittleson, a Jackson County rancher who had several livestock killed by wolves and has filed for compensation from the state.

 “With a lot of ranchers, that’s going to be when they sell their calves in the fall,” he said. 

The other reason is a lack of free time to fill out the necessary paperwork and look through their records for proof-of-value information. But the paperwork isn’t too intensive, and CPW local employees have helped him in that process, he said.

While the agency is able to counter the value listed in a claim, Ferrell said that hasn’t happened yet.

CPW also assumes many ranchers are simply waiting until the end of the year in case they have multiple cases in the hopes it will limit how much paperwork they have to fill out.

CPW has also heard that some ranchers are concerned about having their names and ranches in the public record, Ferrell said. 

“(CPW) is statutorily bound to try and protect landowner information, but when there’s a payment out from the state, that’s harder to do. So I think there’s some discussion among landowners about whether or not they want their names out,” she said. 

While the compensation process has been relatively simple, it isn’t perfect, Gittleson said. The compensation doesn’t cover hidden costs, like the labor related to the animal. It can also be difficult for a rancher to prove that their animal was killed by a wolf.

“We’ve had about as many denied as we’ve had approved,” he said. 

The state plans to continue releasing wolves on the Western Slope for the next three to five years.