SB 20-121 Summary

• Authorizes the Parks and Wildlife Commission to adopt a plan for reintroduction, recovery, and management of gray wolves in Colorado, with reintroduction to begin by December 31, 2025.

• Reintroduction is postponed until adequate new revenue sources are available to pay damages and is canceled if gray wolves naturally develop a self-sustaining population in Colorado.

• Requires the plan to use best available scientific data, conduct public comment processes, and prohibit land, water, or resource-use restrictions on private landowners.

• Provides compensation to commercial livestock owners for damages caused by gray wolves and directs the Commission to establish education programs for damage avoidance and mitigation.

• Requires a study group to recommend methods for verifying damages and identifying new revenue sources to fund compensation, with results due to the legislature by January 1, 2022.