Polis set to sign bill making wolverine reintroduction possible in Colorado
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is set to sign a bill into law on Monday that deals with the effort to reintroduce wolverines into the Centennial State.
The governor’s office reports that the signing of SB24-171 will take place near the Grizzly Peak trailhead on Loveland Pass at 5:15 p.m. on May 20.
Once signed, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will by authorized to reintroduce the North American wolverine to the state. That said “as long as the North American wolverine remains on the list of threatened or endangered species pursuant to applicable federal law, the division shall not reintroduce the North American wolverine in the state until a final rule designating the North American wolverine in Colorado as a nonessential experimental population pursuant to applicable federal law has taken effect.”
While wolverines are carnivores that have been known to take down prey as large as a deer, they typically consume smaller mammals and carrion. While a major issue with depredation on livestock is not anticipated, the law Polis is set to sign will include mandated rules for compensation of livestock owners should that take place.
Wolverines always tend to come in small numbers where they are located, with large territorial ranges and a mostly isolated lifestyle. The species is native to Colorado, but was wiped out in the early 1900s. That said, Colorado’s high-alpine and rocky terrain is said to be ideal wolverine habitat.
Find the full text of the bill-soon-to-be law here.

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