Defenders of Wildlife sent a comment letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today in response to a public request for information, urging continued support from the federal government for the Colorado gray wolf reintroduction program, citing early progress and the importance of completing the initial reintroduction phase. The comment letter highlights some early successes for Colorado’s program. The program was initiated through a federal rule finalized by FWS in 2023 to establish a “nonessential experimental population” of wolves under Section 10(j) of the ESA. Under the program, the population is to be managed collaboratively by FWS and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. In its letter, Defenders recommitted its ongoing support to the agencies and the recovery of gray wolves in Colorado.…