Colorado
Second wolf release confirmed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife
On Sunday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed the release of 15 new wolves from British Columbia in Colorado.
Officials said the department completed a capture and release Saturday for the second Gray Wolf reintroduction season as part of the Colorado Gray Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. Five wolves from the original Copper Creek Pack were also released Saturday. The department said all of the wolves were released in Eagle and Pitkin Counties.
The release is part of CPW’s efforts to establish a permanent, self-sustaining Gray Wolf population in the state. Coloradans voted for the wolf reintroduction measure back in 2020.
This release is the second of three to five release seasons of the wolves. CPW officials said there are no further releases planned for the 2024-2025 season.
Two of the ten wolves released in 2023 were illegally shot. Officials warned that the Gray Wolf population in Colorado is protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and state law. Penalties for illegal take can include fines up to $100,000, jail time, and loss of hunting privileges.
The release of Gray Wolves in Colorado has been controversial, with ranchers pushing for a stop to further releases. Colorado GOP members of Congress released a letter in January calling for an end to wolf reintroduction.
A recent thaw-freeze cycle, coupled with the high chance of a snowstorm, is making the avalanche danger jump from a level 1 to a level 3 this weekend, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
CAIC says avalanche danger has been low for much of the month.
Officials say that’s unusual and largely due to warm weather and a lack of snow.
They anticipate the danger level will rise from Level 1, where it is now, to Level 3 by Sunday.
“Most of the avalanches are going to be breaking on the old snow surface,” CAIC director Ethan Greene said. “So not huge avalanches, but big enough to injure or kill you. If you’re headed into the mountains, you should check the avalanche forecast. Make sure you know what the danger is, where you’re going, and if you’re going into avalanche terrain, make sure you carry rescue equipment.”
That equipment should include a transceiver, probe pole, and shovel.
As of Saturday morning, CAIC’s avalanche forecast showed “considerable” avalanche danger north of Steamboat Springs, moderate danger throughout the high country, as far west as Grand Mesa and as far south as the area just north and east of Pagosa Springs.
The rest of the state showed low or no danger, but the weather was set to change later in the weekend, highlighting the importance of checking that forecast.
Denver residents have a great way to clean up for the holidays and get ready for spring through the city’s Treecycle Program.
Starting Monday, Denver residents can drop off their holiday trees at designated sites so that they can be turned into mulch. That mulch will be available to residents for free during the annual Mulch Giveaway this coming spring.
From Dec. 29 through Jan. 30, trees can be dropped off each weekday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at these locations:
- Cherry Creek Transfer Station – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.)
- Havana Nursery – 3685 Havana St.
- Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. (next to the Denver Animal Shelter)
(Note: These locations will be closed January 1 and January 19 for holiday observances)
These drop sites will be open Saturday, Jan. 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
- Fred Thomas Park – 2400 Quebec St.
- Evie Dennis School Campus – 4800 Telluride St.
- John F. Kennedy High School – 2855 S. Lamar St.
- Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave.
- Sloan’s Lake Park (Northwest Parking Lot) – W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.
Drop sites are available on Saturday, Jan. 10 and Jan. 17 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. here:
- Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave.
- Carson Elementary – 5420 E 1st Ave.
- John F. Kennedy High School – 2855 S. Lamar St.
- Congress Park – E. 9th and Josephine St.
- University Park Elementary – 2300 S St Paul St.
- Sloan’s Lake Park (Northwest Parking Lot) – W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.
- Bruce Randolph School – 3955 Steele St.
- Fred Thomas Park – 2400 Quebec St.
- Evie Dennis School Campus – 4800 Telluride St.
Any nails, ornaments, plastic, tinsel, tree stands and lights should be removed before dropping off a tree for recycling. Flocked trees and wire-based wreaths cannot be recycled.
Denver area residents can also recycle broken and burned out holiday lights for free by dropping them off at the Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-Off and Blue Star Recyclers until Jan. 1. City officials said residents should be aware that holiday lights can’t be placed in purple recycling carts, and can only be accepted for recycling at the drop off locations.
Those who do not want their tree mulched can set it out for collection on their large item pickup day. Those trees will not be recycled.
Many other areas across the Front Range offer tree recycling services, including:
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