Two Grand County ranchers who lost livestock to wolf depredation will receive nearly $350,000 in compensation after the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the payments on Wednesday.
Farrell Livestock will receive $287,407.63 for sheep and cattle losses, while Bruchez and Sons will receive $56,008 for cattle losses.
The payment to Farrell is for 15 animals killed in the last year, alongside other indirect impacts of wolf reintroduction, such as weight loss and low pregnancy rates.
The commission stressed the payments are not a “bonus,” but an attempt to partly recover financial losses, noting some livestock would be worth 25% more on the market.