A contract, obtained by 9NEWS Investigates, shows Colorado Parks and Wildlife agreed to pay British Columbia up to $400,000 for up to 15 wolves to be captured.

DENVER — This is a developing story and will continue to be updated as we learn more

While Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Director has not informed the public about plans to bring more wolves to the state this winter, a document obtained by 9NEWS Investigates show CPW signed a deal earlier this month with British Columbia agreeing to pay up to $400,000 for the Canadian province to capture up to 15 wolves for the state of Colorado.

A CPW official signed the contract on Oct. 3; However, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Director received a letter, first reported by Colorado Politics, from the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to “Cease and desist” any efforts to import wolves.

“If CPW is currently engaged in such activities, CPW must immediately cease and desist any and all efforts to related to the capture, transport, and/or release of gray wolves not obtained from the NRM (Northern Rocky Mountain) Areas,” a letter from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Brian Nesvik reads in part.

Nesvik is the former Wyoming Game and Fish Director, and previously spoke with 9NEWS while serving in that role.

CPW’s contract with British Columbia explains BC will capture the wolves, and then Colorado will be responsible for transporting them to America.

“Subject to weather conditions, the safety of all personnel, and the health and safety of wolves and non-target animal species, all of which will be assessed by the Province in its sole discretion, the Province will attempt to capture live grey wolves for translocation from wolf packs in British Columbia to Colorado between December 1, 2025 and April 15, 2026,” the agreement states.

The agreement also includes several conditions on which wolves will be captured:

Are from areas where predator reduction will support caribou recoveryOverlap with elk range and are likely to use elk as a primary food sourceAre not known to be from a currently chronically depredating packAre within airplane transportation distance to be determined by CPWMeet the criteria listed in Section 3

Section 3 describes several health conditions wolves need to be captured and moved to Colorado, such as 3-4 functional teeth.

Documents obtained by 9NEWS Investigates show CPW Director Jeff Davis also signed a memorandum of understanding with British Columbia on July 22, outlining plans to work together for further captures.

Colorado imported 15 wolves from Canada at the beginning of the year. Several have died since being brought to Colorado.

9NEWS has reached out to Gov. Jared Polis’ office to better understand what will happen next.

> View the CPW contract with British Columbia below: