A public listening session is set for July 28 in Grand Junction to gather comments about wolf restoration and management in Colorado.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Keystone Policy Center has scheduled 14 of the sessions across the state. In Grand Junction, the session is set for 5 to 8 p.m. at the Mesa County Fairgrounds community building, 2785 U.S. Highway 50.

Sessions also are planned for Craig, Durango, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison, Montrose and Steamboat Springs.

In addition, a new website at www.wolfengagementco.org offers a comment form.

“The primary purpose of these open houses and the public engagement website is to provide Coloradans with multiple opportunities to share their suggestions and concerns with the division,” said Julie Shapiro, director of the natural resources program for the Keystone Policy Center.

“The specific details and decisions about gray wolf reintroduction will be made by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Parks and Wildlife Commission after robust public, stakeholder and technical expert involvement. We strongly encourage all Coloradans to offer their contribution to the restoration and management planning process,” Shapiro said.

Those attending the open houses will be able to visit stations at their own pace to provide comments on wolf planning topics. Participants will also be able to provide written comments through a detailed online comment form either during the open house or at a later time. Paper forms will be available for use during the open houses. 

The open house public listening sessions are a component of the more than 40 meetings planned for July and August. In addition to the open houses, CPW and Keystone will convene 17 invitational geographic-based focus groups in Western Colorado, 10 invitational interest-based focus groups and tribal consultation meetings.

Wolf restoration and management plans follow the passage of a ballot measure in 2020 directing CPW to introduce gray wolves to designated areas of  Western Colorado by the end of 2023. The measure also authorizes the use of state funds to assist livestock producers in preventing conflicts with gray wolves and pay for livestock losses.