In recent days, some additional details have emerged related to the death of a wolf that took place in March of 2026.

According to a report from Denver7, the wolf that was shot and killed was the matriarch of the King Mountain Pack, dead at the hands of an employee of one of the state’s largest cattle ranches. The woman in charge of the ranch, which spans parts of Eagle and Routt counties, reportedly submitted a statement to U.S. Fish and Wildlife on April 7 indicating that depredation has been a major issue on the ranch, with an estimated 60 calves lost in one year – though these depredations were not confirmed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. There were, however, three confirmed depredations, and while she submitted an application for a lethal kill permit related to those, it was denied.

According to a report from Coloradoan, the killing of the mother wolf took place on March 10 when wolves reportedly “moved in on cows and calves.” The ranch hand reportedly fired two warning shots before sending a third bullet that would prove fatal in the wolf’s direction.

Per the 2026 wolf report from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the March 10 death of the mother wolf orphaned the four pups of the King Mountain pack. The father wolf died during capture-related complications on January 28.

The killing of the wolf has now reportedly cost the rancher “tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees” in an attempt to protect herself and her employee from legal consequences related to the killing. While killing a wolf is typically illegal in Colorado, there are certain circumstances during which it may be permitted – protection of human safety or if a wolf is actively attacking livestock or working dogs. It’s up to officials to gather evidence and determine if this killing was justified.

Check out Denver7 and Coloradoan for additional in-depth reporting on this matter.

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