SB 24-171

Senate Bill 24-171, also known as the Restoration of Wolverines Act, allows for the reintroduction of North American wolverines in Colorado by the state’s parks and wildlife division. However, this can only happen if federal law designates the wolverine as a nonessential experimental population. The bill also requires the creation of rules to compensate livestock owners for any losses caused by wolverines. Additionally, it allocates $102,808 from the state’s wildlife fund to support these efforts starting in 2024. The governor signed this bill into law on May 20, 2024, and it will take effect on August 7, 2024.

Official Summary

The act authorizes the reintroduction of the North American wolverine in the state by the division of parks and wildlife (division). As long as the North American wolverine remains on the list of threatened or endangered species pursuant to applicable federal law, the division must 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. The act also creates certain requirements for the reintroduction of the North American wolverine. The parks and wildlife commission must adopt rules for the compensation of owners of livestock for losses caused by the North American wolverine. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, $102,808 is appropriated from the wildlife cash fund to the department of natural resources for use by the division. To implement the act, the division may use the appropriation for wildlife operations. APPROVED by Governor May 20, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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