At an event on Loveland Pass on May 20, Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 24-171 approving the reintroduction of wolverines to Colorado. The bill provides funding for habitat restoration and establishes guidelines to ensure the species’ successful integration into the state’s ecosystem but it could take years before we see the animals back in the state.
“I am thrilled to welcome wolverines back to Colorado,” Polis said at the press conference. “A diverse and healthy environment strengthens Colorado’s booming ecotourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Today, we begin to add wolverines to the list of animals reintroduced to Colorado, ensuring Colorado remains the best state in the nation for ecodiversity and outdoor enthusiasts.”
After more than a century of absence, wolverines are making a remarkable return to the rugged landscapes of Colorado, sparking excitement among conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts alike. These elusive and resilient creatures, known for their tenacity and strength, will slowly reclaim their territory in the Centennial State, marking a significant milestone in wildlife conservation.
The last confirmed wolverine sighting in Colorado was in 1919 when the population was eradicated largely due to unregulated trapping and predator poisoning. The animal was listed as an endangered species in the state in 1973. But in 2009, a solitary male—tagged in Wyoming—ventured across the northern part of the state. Since then, sporadic sightings have fueled hopes that wolverines are reestablishing a foothold in the region. According to the Center for Biological Diversity’s Southern Rockies Director Alli Henderson, there are only 325 wolverines left in the lower 48 states. The state will be the first to bring back wolverines, as Colorado Parks and Wildlife plans to reintroduce 30 female and 15 male wolverines over a three-year period.
“SB24-171 contains key assurances for Colorado industries by requiring that wolverines in Colorado are designated as a nonessential experimental population (known as a 10(j) rule) before reintroduction begins,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Public Information Officer Travis Duncan in an email. “This is now possible because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in November 2023. The 10(j) will reduce the regulatory burden associated with consultation for permitting activities that occur on federal land (e.g., ski resorts, dispersed winter recreation, roads, avalanche control, grazing allotments.)”
Additionally, the bill mandates that the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission must enact regulations to compensate for livestock losses caused by wolverines. Although such incidents are rare, this measure is a prerequisite for reintroducing wolverines to Colorado.
The recent resurgence is attributed to several factors, including successful conservation initiatives in neighboring states and improved habitat connectivity. Federal protections under the Endangered Species Act and state-level conservation plans have played crucial roles in facilitating the species’ comeback.
“This legislation represents a significant commitment to restoring a native species back to Colorado’s landscape,” said Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Dan Gibbs in a press release. “Colorado has some of the best remaining unoccupied habitat for wolverines and we have the opportunity to bolster the population significantly with a science-based restoration.”
Wolverines are currently found in remote and rugged regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with populations in Alaska, Canada, the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States, and parts of Scandinavia and Russia. In the U.S., their primary strongholds include the northern Rockies, such as Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. The successful reestablishment of wolverines in these areas has provided a foundation for their gradual expansion back into Colorado.
“This is a huge win for wolverines and for Colorado’s wildlife,” said Megan Mueller, a conservation biologist with Rocky Mountain Wild in a press release. “It’s amazing to see such broad, bipartisan support and recognition of the importance of bringing wolverines back to Colorado.”
Despite the positive news, experts caution that wolverines still face significant challenges. Climate change poses a threat to their preferred snowy habitats, and human activities such as development and recreation can disrupt their territories. Conservationists emphasize the need for continued vigilance and adaptive management strategies to ensure the wolverines’ long-term survival in Colorado.
“We realize this is just the beginning of what will be a multi-year process,” said Michael Dax, western program director for Wildlands Network. “But we couldn’t be more excited for wolverines to once again call Colorado’s snowy slopes home.”
As wolverines slowly reclaim their place in Colorado’s wilderness, their journey serves as a powerful symbol of nature’s resilience and the impact of dedicated conservation efforts. For now, wildlife enthusiasts can rest assured knowing that the wild heart of the Rockies beats a little stronger with the return of these formidable creatures.
In a press release Stefan Ekernas, director of Colorado Field Conservation at Denver Zoo said “Wolverines are part of Colorado’s natural heritage, and the widespread support wolverine reintroduction has garnered demonstrates how much Coloradoans unite behind wildlife,” .