Colorado lawmakers will consider blocking from public record the names of ranchers seeking compensation from the state for livestock killed by wolves and other wild animals after multiple livestock owners said they feared harassment.
The bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill 38, would make the names, addresses and contact information confidential and not subject to the Colorado Open Records Act.
Ranchers in areas with active wolves have been nervous about filing the paperwork for compensation for killed and injured livestock because they worry that people will show up on their properties to look for the charismatic predators or to threaten their operations, said Sen. Dylan Roberts, a bill sponsor. The Frisco Democrat’s district includes the territory wolves have roamed since 2021.
“No matter where you fall on the wolf reintroduction issue, I hope you can support that somebody should have their privacy protected for simply accessing a government program they are legally entitled to,” Roberts said Thursday during the bill’s first committee hearing.
The members of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the full Senate with amendments.
The wolf reintroduction ballot initiative that voters approved in 2020 created a program that pays ranchers if their livestock is injured or killed by wolves — similar to an already-existing program for livestock depredations caused by other predators, like mountain lions and bears. Because the compensation is funded by taxpayer dollars, the program under Colorado Parks and Wildlife is subject to the records act, which allows citizens to request documents and information about government actions.
The possibility that their personal information could be made public in connection with the highly controversial wolf reintroduction could dissuade some ranchers from filing the paperwork necessary to receive payment, said Erin Karney, the executive vice president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The number of known wolves in Colorado has grown to 29, a substantial increase since the first releases under the reintroduction program in late 2023.
“Ranchers and livestock producers should not have to weigh their right to privacy against their ability to seek compensation for verified losses,” she said.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife reimburses ranchers for the fair market value of livestock and guard animals killed by wolves, up to $15,000. Ranchers can also receive reimbursement for veterinarian care for animals injured by wolves.
Since 2021 — when wolves migrated into Colorado from Wyoming — the state has paid nearly $44,000 to ranchers for the death or injury of 15 head of cattle, three sheep, a llama and three working dogs, according to CPW data. Claims for the reported depredations of 15 head of cattle and nine sheep are either pending or were never filed.
Three ranchers in December filed claims totaling $581,977 in damages, and those are pending. The claims included more than $190,000 for killed or missing livestock and more than $389,000 for reduced weight among surviving livestock and lower conception rates. The ranchers attribute the latter to stress the wolves’ presence placed on herds.
CPW also compensates property owners and ranchers for damage to their herds, fences and crops from other species. In the 2023 fiscal year, the agency paid $403,602 for livestock killed or injured by predators other than wolves, like bears and mountain lions. It also paid $322,229 to farmers for crops damaged by wildlife like elk and deer.
Impassioned rhetoric around the state’s voter-mandated wolf reintroduction program has brought more attention to ranchers filing claims for wolf kills. A series of livestock killings on a ranch outside Kremmling — which led to the capture and relocation of the state’s first pack established by reintroduced wolves — resulted in intense scrutiny of the ranch owner’s practices by wildlife advocates.
The intensity of the controversy around the reintroduction of the apex predator also has led to threats against CPW staff in recent months, which caused them to restrict the amount of information they provided while releasing 15 more wolves in January.
“Unfortunately, threats of violence have been made to every group of people involved in wolf reintroduction,” Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg said.
Nobody testified in opposition to the bill on Thursday.
Representatives from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Agriculture and organizations that advocate for government transparency said they supported the idea of the bill. They asked that information remain public about the general location of depredations and how the ranchers used conflict mitigation strategies. Amendments to the bill adopted Thursday included these changes.
Wildlife advocacy groups and others in the public may want to know how conflict mitigation strategies are working or not working, said Jeff Roberts, the executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. As much information as possible should remain public, he said.
“Public funds are being used to compensate people, not just for damage caused for gray wolves but damage caused by any wildlife,” Roberts said. “There should be transparency to prevent and reduce the risk of abuse and fraud. Transparency is also key to ensuring that agency decisions are made equitably and according to law.”
The legislation would codify CPW’s practice of not releasing personal information, said Reid DeWalt, deputy director of policy for the agency.
“This bill is seeking to do a good thing,” he said.
Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter, The Spot.