Wyoming

Family Says Its Ranch Near Wyoming State Line A… | Cowboy State Daily

Published

2 years ago

June 18, 2024

Family Says Its Ranch Near Wyoming State Line A… | Cowboy State Daily

It was 2019 when the Gittleson family members saw the first wolf on the ranch property they lease in northern Colorado roughly 12 miles from the Wyoming state line.

It was a lone female that wandered in from Wyoming. A gray male wolf joined her in 2020. Nobody’s quite sure where he came from, but it was also likely from Wyoming.

At first, it seemed like no big deal, Kim Gittleson told Cowboy State Daily.

“They would bump (startle) the cattle occasionally,” but never took it any further than that, she said.

Then the two wolves had six pups, forming what became known as the North Park pack, Colorado’s first verified established wolf pack in decades.

The adult wolves needed to teach their offspring to hunt, and the Gittleson’s cattle become part of the lesson plan. Since 2021 they’ve lost 11 cattle: three full-grown cows, two yearlings and six calves, Kim Gittleson said.

‘Grocery Store’ For Wolves

The North Park pack eventually broke up, and some of the wolves crossed back over into Wyoming and were shot by hunters. It’s legal to kill wolves year-round in that part of the Cowboy State.

The big, gray male and a younger black-coated male hung around the ranch together for a time, but the younger male split. He’s thought to be off somewhere to the south now.

That left only the older male hanging out on or near the Gittleson ranch.

However, no sooner had the North Park pack effectively disappeared when new trouble apparently started coming up from the south.

In December 2023, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department (CPW) released 10 wolves that had been captured in Oregon and transported to the Centennial State. The wolf reintroduction was authorized by Colorado’s Proposition 114. It barely squeaked by voters Nov. 3, 2020, by a margin of 50.91% to 49.09%.

One of the family’s calves was severely mauled by wolves in February, and they are “fairly certain that was done by some of the Oregon wolves,” Kim Gittleson said.

The Gittleson place seems to be in the middle of where wolves are traversing back and forth from both Colorado and Wyoming directions. And they’re also the only outfit in the area that runs cattle during the winter when the predators are at their hungriest.

“They (wolves) come in during the winter, and we’re the only grocery store that’s available,” Kim Gittleson said.

Regaining Trust

On Saturday, the Gittlesons hosted a gathering at the ranch with numerous Colorado politicians, other ranchers and CPW officials, including Director Jeff Davis.

Davis told the crowd that he realizes the CPW has lost a lot of trust with ranchers since the wolves were transplanted from Oregon. And he hopes that trust can be regained.

Repairing the relationship between CPW and ranchers is becoming more pressing. Current plans are to bring in another 15 wolves, this time from Washington state, perhaps before the end of this year.

A lawsuit has been filed in federal court to have that next round of wolf releases at least delayed, if not canceled, said Howard Cooper, a Meeker, Colorado, rancher. The lawsuit was by the Colorado Conservation Alliance, of which he is a member.

During the discussion, other ranchers told Davis that they also would like to see the next round of reintroductions delayed at least until Colorado’s policy on wolf management and control can be revisited.

Since the reintroduction, there have been 24 confirmed livestock losses to wolves, and it’s still not certain how many have involved survivors of the North Park pack verses the newer wolves from Oregon.

Northern Colorado rancher Don Gittleson explains “Fox Lights,” or solar-powered, multi-colored flashing lights, intended to deter wolves from attacking cattle on his ranch near the Wyoming state line. (Mark Heinz, Cowboy State Daily)
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department Director Jeff Davis talks Saturday to ranchers who are worried about their cattle being attacked by wolves. (Mark Heinz, Cowboy State Daily)
Northern Colorado rancher Don Gittleson speaks to people gathered Saturday at the ranch his family leases near the Wyoming state line. (Mark Heinz, Cowboy State Daily)

Oregon Wolves Bolder?

Some of the transplanted wolves were from packs with a history of attacking cattle in Oregon.

The Oregon wolves also seem bolder than the ones with Wyoming roots, said the Gittlesons and Grand County, Colorado, Commissioner Merrit Linke.

Non-lethal wolf deterrents don’t seem to be as effective on the newcomer wolves, they said.

During the group’s tour of some of the ranch, patriarch Don Gittleson demonstrated “cracker shells.” Those are a small explosive charge fired from a shotgun that, ideally, burst in mid-air and scare wolves away.

He also explained “fox lights,” or solar-powered, multi-colored flashing lights intended to deter wolves at night.

Spread out across the pasture, they didn’t seem to be effective, Don Gittleson told Cowboy State Daily. But bunched up near ranch headquarters, they’ve seem to have stopped wolves from coming clear down around the buildings.

Those things don’t seem to really frighten the wolves from Oregon, said Linke, who also represents the Middle Park Stock Grower’s Association.

Middle Park has also seen numerous livestock losses.

“They’re using fox lights. They’re using cracker shells, and the wolves are basically just flipping them off,” he said.

Don and Kim Gittleson’s son David said the North Park pack wolves rarely like to get closer to humans than about 300 yards.

Linke said that in Middle Park, the wolves transplanted from Oregon have boldly come to within 30 yards of people.

That very well could be because the North Park pack wolves had roots in Wyoming, where wolves are hunted, Linke said. The wolves in Oregon have never been actively hunted.

Where Are Things Headed?

Even in parts of Colorado far from where the wolves have been so far, there’s worry among some about them showing up.

Colorado state Rep. Barbara McLauchlan, D-Durango, told Cowboy State Daily that her district is quite a distance south of anywhere that wolves have been spotted so far.

But many of her constituents think it’s only a matter of time before the wolves start showing up, “and they really don’t want them there,” she said.

However, it’s also adjacent to the sovereign lands of the Southern Ute Tribe, she added. And the Utes don’t want wolves on their land because of the potential threat to their hunting and livestock.

“If those wolves cross onto the Utes’ land, they’ll be killed,” she said.

Kim Gittleson said her family has dealt with other predators, such as bears and mountain lions, for decades. But wolves are turning out to be something different. And so far, non-lethal deterrents such as fox lights and cracker shells have produced mixed results.

“We’ve been ranching for 43 years and lost maybe two or three cattle to bears,” she said. “And in the past few years, we’ve lost 11 to wolves.”

Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.

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Wyoming

Wyoming teen discovers rare and ancient megalodon shark tooth off Florida coast

Published

4 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming teen discovers rare and ancient megalodon shark tooth off Florida coast

A 6-inch megalodon shark tooth was found by a Wyoming teen during a dive trip off Manasota Key, Florida earlier this week.

Sixteen-year-old Aiden Andrews and his father Brian were on a guided dive with Fossil Junkies, a local fossil-hunting tour company.

Captain John Kreatsoulas told FOX 13 Tampa Bay reporter Kimberly Kuizon that while finding small megalodon teeth isn’t uncommon, finding one that size is quite rare.

Video captured the moments when Aiden and his father celebrated underwater after making the remarkable discovery.

Popularized by Hollywood monster movies, the Carcharocles megalodon was the largest shark to have ever lived, according to the Smithsonian Institution.

A 6-inch megalodon shark tooth was found by a Wyoming teen during a dive trip off Manasota Key, Florida. Fossil Junkies

Diver wearing an orange mask holding a large fossilized shark tooth. — Aiden Andrews, 16, celebrated with his father after making the remarkable discovery. Fossil Junkies

Scientists believe the largest megalodon reached up to 60 feet in length and weighed up to 50 tons.

And as Andrews can attest — they possessed teeth the size of a human hand.

According to the Smithsonian, megalodon lived between 23 and 3.6 million years ago across all of Earth’s oceans.

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Wyoming

Outdoor Fun Awaits At Local Parks With Izaak Walton League’s Hiking Series From April To September

Published

16 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Outdoor Fun Awaits At Local Parks With Izaak Walton League’s Hiking Series From April To September

Hiking can be an activity that you enjoy doing on your own, but sometimes you need a little extra inspiration, and a group hike is exactly what you need. If you’re looking for a group to explore the outdoors with, the Charles E. Piersall chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America hiking group may be what you’re looking for.

The mission of the IWLA:

To engage the community in the conservation, restoration, and promotion of environmental protection, we focus on the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. This commitment is essential for a sustainable future, and activities like hiking help foster a connection with nature

The group is open to all ages, and even your pup can join in on the fun if they’re on a leash. There is a series of hikes planned beginning on April 1. Nope, this isn’t a prank; it is a real chance to meet other outdoor lovers and take in some of the area’s best hiking trails. The hikes are scheduled on the odd Wednesdays from April to September, weather permitting.

Join us to connect with others who appreciate the beauty of outdoor hiking and environmental advocacy hiking. Remember to bring drinking water, snacks, good walking shoes or boots, and a jacket. A walking stick or hiking poles can also be helpful.

Here are the hikes they have planned for this summer.

April 2026

Wednesday, April 1, 6 pm, Morad Park to Paradise Valley:
Wednesday, April 15, 6 pm, Edness K. Wilkins State Park:
Wednesday, April 29, 6 pm, Tate Pumphouse, Golf Course loop:

May 2026

June 2026

July 2026

Wednesday, July 1, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, North Face:
Wednesday, July 15, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, Beaver Ponds:
Wednesday, July 29, 6 pm, Casper Mountain, Biathlon:

August 2026

September 2026

16 Types Of Hikes Explained

7 Trails To Hike In Central Wyoming

There’s no doubt about it, the entire state of Wyoming is covered in amazing hiking trails. If you’re visiting central Wyoming here are 7 trails that you should check out. I’ve organized them from easier to harder, ending with Laramie Peak.

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Wyoming

Wyoming Reporter Now Facing An Additional 10 Felony Charges

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming Reporter Now Facing An Additional 10 Felony Charges

The Platte County Attorney’s Office has nearly doubled the possible penalties for a Wyoming reporter accused of forging exhibits in an environmental case tied to her staunch opposition to a wind farm.

The 10 new counts against April Marie Morganroth, also known as the Wyoming-based reporter Marie Hamilton, allege that she convinced her landlords that she’d been approved for a home loan to buy their property, and grants to upgrade it.

Hamilton was already facing 10 felony charges in a March 9 Wheatland Circuit Court case, as she’s accused of submitting forged documents and lying under oath before the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council.

That’s an environmental permitting panel that granted a permit to a NextEra Resources wind farm, which Hamilton has long opposed. She’s also reported on NextEra’s efforts and the community controversies surrounding those.

Then on Wednesday, Platte County Attorney Douglas Weaver filed 10 more felony charges: five alleging possession of forged writing, and five more alleging forgery.

The former is punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines; the latter by up to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

Hamilton faces up to 65 years in prison if convicted of all charges in her March 9 case. The March 25 case would add up to 75 years more to that.

Both cases are ongoing.

Hamilton did not immediately respond to a voicemail request for comment left Thursday afternoon on her cellphone. She bonded out of jail earlier this month. The Platte County Detention Center said Thursday it does “not have her here.”

The Investigative Efforts Of Benjamin Peech

Converse County Sheriff’s Lt. Benjamin Peech investigated both cases at the request of Platte County authorities, court documents say.

When he was investigating evidence that Hamilton submitted forged documents and lied under oath for Industrial Siting Council proceedings, Peech also pursued Hamilton’s claim that she owned property on JJ Road, and that she’d bought it with a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan.

The property, however, is registered under Platte County’s mapping system to a couple surnamed Gillis, says a new affidavit Peech signed March 19, which was filed Wednesday.

Peech spoke with both husband and wife, and they said they had the home on the market to sell it, and Hamilton contacted them in about July of 2025.

Hamilton told the pair that she and her husband wished to buy the property and were pre-qualified for a USDA loan through Neighbor’s Bank, wrote Peech.

But the property didn’t meet the standard of the loan, Hamilton reportedly continued. Still, she’d been approved for a USDA grant to work on the problems with the property and bring it up to the standards to qualify for the loan, she allegedly told the homeowners.

Papers

Hamilton provided the couple and their realtor with letters from USDA showing her loan pre-approval and grant approvals, the affidavit says.

During the lease period that followed, Hamilton was late “often” with rent and didn’t provide the couple with work logs until pressed, Peech wrote.

In early 2026, the lieutenant continued, the homeowners became concerned and asked Hamilton about her progress improving the property.

Hamilton reportedly sent the homeowners two invoices from contractors, showing she’d paid for work to be done. She said the wind had delayed that work, wrote Peech.

The affidavit says the Gillis couple sent Peech the documents Hamilton had reportedly given them, along with supporting emails showing those had come from one of Hamilton’s email addresses.

The Loan approval documents showed the respective logos for USDA Rural Development and Neighbor’s Bank at the top of each page, the lieutenant wrote, adding that the documents assert that Hamilton and her husband had been approved for the loan.

“There was then a list of items that needed to be completed — 14 items — prior to Final Loan Approval,” related Peech in the affidavit.

A signature at the bottom reportedly read, “Sincerely, USDA Rural Development Neighbors Bank Joshua Harris Homebuying Specialist.”

Grant Document

The documents purporting Hamilton had received a grant also showed the USDA Rural Development logo at the top of each page, with the names of Hamilton and her husband, other boilerplate language and a description of a $35,000 home buyer’s grant.

The project was about 65% complete at the time of review, the document adds, according to Peech’s narrative.

Peech describes more documents: a January notice, an invoice bearing the logo and name of “Cowgirl Demolition and Excavation, LLC,” and another invoice bearing the logo and name of “Pete’s Builders Roofing and Restoration.”

Real Estate Agent

Peech spoke with the Gillises’ real estate agent, Kay Pope, and she said she’d tried to verify the USDA grant and pre-approval by calling Susan Allman, who was listed in the documents as the Casper-based USDA agent. Pope left several messages without response, the affidavit says.

Pope spoke with Hamilton’s real estate agent, and he said he’d spoken to Allman, and he gave Pope a phone number.

Cowboy State Daily has identified Hamilton’s real estate agent and tried to contact him for further clarification.

Pope called that number and left messages without response, wrote Peech.

Peech then called a USDA Rural Development office and spoke with a Janice Blare, deputy state director, he wrote.

Peech sent the three USDA letters to Blare and gave her “all of Hamilton’s names and aliases,” he added.

The lieutenant wrote that Blare later told him the USDA investigated the letters and determined no evidence existed to show the USDA had issued them.

No records existed either, of Hamilton “using all her alias permutations” or her husband within either the USDA loan program or grant program, wrote Peech.

The USDA didn’t have an office at the address listed in two of the letters. The address pertains, rather, to a dirt lot. The USDA Rural Development office didn’t have a program titled “Rural Communities Home Buyer Program” as listed on two of the letters.

On Nov. 6, 2025, the date of the first letter purporting Hamilton had been approved for the grant program, all U.S. government offices including USDA were on furlough, noted Peech from his discussion with Blare.

A person named Susan Allman didn’t appear in USDA’s employee records, Blare reportedly added.

The Phone Call

Peech called the cellphone number one of the letters listed for Allman, “and this was disconnected,” he wrote.

The number Hamilton’s real estate agent had given was a voice over internet protocol number that Bandwidth LLC operates but is assigned to Google, added Peech.

Meanwhile, Converse County Investigator Amber Peterson spoke with the construction and roofing companies listed in the documents.

Chad Derenzo of Pete’s Roofing confirmed the logo and name listed on the documents were his company’s own — but said his company hadn’t issued the bid listed in those documents, according to the affidavit.

“Their company had never contracted to do work for Hamilton or at the… JJ Road address,” the document says.

The invoice also bore an address in Torrington, Wyoming, and his company doesn’t have a Torrington office, said Derenzo, reportedly.

Jessica Loge of Cowgirl Demolition and Excavation gave similar statements, saying the documents bore her logo, but her company hadn’t issued the bid or contracted with Hamilton.

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.

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