Proposed bill aims to reintroduce wolverines to Colorado
DENVER (KDVR) — On Monday evening, state lawmakers announced a new bipartisan proposal aimed at reintroducing the North American wolverine to Colorado.
Senate Bill 24-171 is sponsored by Republican Sen. Perry Will, Democratic Sen. Dylan Roberts, Democratic Rep. Barbara McLachlan, and Democratic Rep. Tisha Mauro.
Wolverines are the largest species in the weasel family and weigh around 40 lbs., according to experts.
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The Denver Zoo, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and environmental nonprofits are assisting in the proposal.
Colorado’s wolverine population went extinct
According to Rocky Mountain Wild, a nonprofit supporting the bill, historically, wolverines called mountainous regions like Colorado home.
However, Colorado’s wolverine population went extinct in the early 1900s due to unregulated trapping and poisoning.
The last wolverine that was confirmed to be in Colorado was a male who traveled 500 miles from the Tetons in Wyoming to central Colorado. The wolverine then moved on to North Dakota where it was shot, Rocky Mountain Wild said.
Back in November, the federal government listed the North American wolverine as a threatened species, largely due to climate change. The move was met with some pushback from those who say the animal is adaptable.
CPW estimates there are less than 400 wolverines left in the continental United States, and experts believe parts of the high country could be an ideal habitat for wolverines to thrive again.
Colorado provides ideal habitat for wolverines
According to Rocky Mountain Wild, Colorado’s wolverine habitat is expected to stay snowier and colder than many parts of the West. The state also has the largest area of unoccupied habitat for wolverines, with an estimated 7 million acres representing 20% of all of the habitat in the lower 48.
“Bringing wolverines back will be a huge win for Colorado’s wildlife and wildlands,” said Stefan Ekernas, director of Colorado Field Conservation at the Denver Zoo. “Denver Zoo supports reintroduction efforts for wolverines that proactively engage communities and stakeholders to unite Coloradoans in bringing this native species back home.”
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CPW estimates that Colorado can support roughly 100-180 wolverines. Reintroduction to the state could increase the wolverine population in the Western U.S. by 20% or more, according to officials.
“Wolverines are one of the last species that historically called Colorado home that have yet to be restored,” said Megan Mueller, conservation biologist with Rocky Mountain Wild. “Bringing wolverines back to Colorado is the best way to give them a chance to survive as the climate changes. We are grateful to see this bipartisan leadership and support for wolverine reintroduction.”
If passed, the bill would authorize CPW to begin a multi-year reintroduction process that would include reviewing CPW’s existing reintroduction plan and addressing stakeholder concerns.
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