The wolf died on January 28, 2026 while Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff was trying to change the battery on the wolf’s GPS collar.

DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports that one of the state’s wolves died from “acute cardiogenic shock” after the wolf was captured.

CPW reported the wolf died in Routt County on January 28, 2026, though the agency did not inform the public until days later.  A spokesperson for CPW said they were trying to change the battery on the wolf’s GPS collar, which is why it was being captured.

CPW reports the wolf’s heart may have stopped working properly, because of “hyperthermia, exertional/capture myopathy, respirator distress or drug reaction.”

The state has not shared what drugs were used to capture the wolf, nor what drugs were used to treat it. 9NEWS has a pending public records request for the necropsy. CPW has already denied this request twice. 

CPW shared that it took 24 minutes to locate, pursue, capture, secure and transport the wolf. The agency’s press release states that the pursuit lasted three minutes. After it was darted and transported, the wolf had a body temperature of 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which was much warmer than another wolf’s 101.4 temperature.

State employees unsuccessfully tried to save the animal’s life.

“CPW’s wildlife veterinarian then administered emergency drugs intended to increase heart rate while CPR was performed,” a press release from CPW explained. “When no pulse or respirations — as well as a lack of corneal and pupillary reflex — were confirmed, CPR was ceased and the animal was pronounced dead.”

CPW was working with Quicksilver Air Inc. to capture the wolf, according to contracts obtained by 9NEWS Investigates. CPW agreed to pay $1,537.50 per wolf captured, in addition to other flight charges. 9NEWS has not been able to find a working phone number for Quicksilver Air. 

The wolf, a male numbered 2305, was captured in Oregon in December 2023 and released that month in Grand County.

9NEWS has requested an interview with CPW Director Laura Clellan.