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By delaying wolf reintroduction on the Western Slope in 2025-26, the state could save about $2.1 million in general fund dollars.
DENVER — With a $1 billion hole in the 2025-26 state budget to fill, which includes tapping the state reserve below its required statutory levels, budget writers are looking for every coin in the couch cushions.
According to the Joint Budget Committee staff, one option is to delay introducing wolves on the Western Slope in 2025-26, which could save about $2.1 million in general fund dollars.
The analysis noted that in 2023-24, the second most significant increase in general funds for the Department of Natural Resources, which houses the Colorado Parks and Wildlife division, was for more funding to assist with wolf reintroduction.
The analysis also suggested that the committee look at a 50% cut in the compensation paid to ranchers who lose livestock to wolves, from $350,000 to $175,000, as well as in general fund dollars. It noted the agency didn’t spend the full amount of the appropriation in the last fiscal year.
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