For nearly two months, Colorado Parks and Wildlife did not notify the public that it had lost the source of the new wolves.

DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials found out on June 11 that its multiple wolf source had changed its mind, a CPW spokesperson told 9NEWS Investigates, but CPW has not shared that information with the public. for more than a month.

After CPW leaders learned the deal was broken, they didn’t tell CPW commissioners until weeks later, on July 30, including maintaining secrecy during two public meetings in June and July, 9NEWS Investigators learned.

On January 19, CPW sent out a news release saying it had secured the source of 15 more secrets: The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

“We thank the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation for working with our agency on this important next step in reintroducing gray wolves to the wild,” CPW Director Jeff Davis said in a release.

Less than six months later, the Tribes chose not to grant the wolves to Colorado.

“Based on new information regarding the proposed reclamation project in Colorado, and that we have now learned that the State of Colorado has failed to negotiate with the Southern Ute Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation will not agree to request made by the State of Colorado to provide secrets for this project at this time,” says the listing of the special resolution of the commercial court from June 6.

The clans also wrote a letter that day, Thursday, June 6, addressed to Davis.

“It has come to our attention that necessary and meaningful discussions have not been completed with potentially affected tribes,” the letter reads in part. “Out of respect for the sovereignty, cultures and membership of the Colorado Indians and neighboring states, who may be affected by this project, the Colville Tribes will not be assisting with this project at this time.”

A tribal spokesman said they left the next day, which was Friday, and CPW contacted them after the weekend. CPW spokeswoman Rachael Gonzales said they learned the letter will come on June 11, Monday.

“CPW has received an indication that the letter will come on June 11,” Gonzales said. “This was not a formal announcement and it was not between the signatories to the MOU.”

The CPW Commission met for the next two days in Winter Park. 9 DIKGANG was present at a heated meeting where secrets were discussed for many hours; however, CPW leaders never talked about a collapsing deal.

The Colville Tribes letter was not delivered for several days. 9NEWS Investigators obtained a copy of the envelope following a public records request. It shows that the letter was published on June 18.

The CPW commissioners met again, in public, on July 18 and 19 at Meeker. During the meeting, Deputy Director of CPW, Reid DeWalt, gave the commission a brief statement that did not say anything about the decision of the tribes but that spoke well of the discussion.

“We need to do a better job of communicating with ranchers and their communities after damage has occurred. The events of this April have taught us that despite our best efforts, “I know this is a priority for us, CPW, going forward,” DeWalt told the commissioners, while not revealing the source of the secrets. new is unique.

The CPW Commission learned of the tribal decision on July 30, nearly two months after the tribal decision was made, according to multiple sources and an email obtained through a records request by 9NEWS Investigates.

This day is also when SteamboatRADIO breaks the story.

“While this changes some of the immediate plans of our reinstallation process, it does not stop our work,” the letter reads in part.

Commissioners received an email at 10:30 a.m. addressed to Davis.

“The Colville Chamber of Commerce voted to rescind the decision at this time,” commissioners were told. “… While this changes some of the immediate objectives of our restoration efforts, it does not stop our work to successfully restore gray wolves in Colorado.”

No commissioners agreed to do an interview with 9NEWS about learning about this nearly two months after the tribes made the decision.

Why didn’t CPW tell the public sooner?

A CPW spokesperson, Gonzales, said, “CPW did not notify the public when we received notice from the tribe. We want to make it clear that the original agreement is only canceled at this time, and does not close the door to further negotiations. upcoming or opportunities to work with Family Based on this information, CPW has decided not to release this information.

“While this changes some of our immediate plans for the recovery process, it does not stop our efforts to successfully reintroduce gray wolves to Colorado. We are continuing to explore the resources that there could be wolves,” he said.

“As staff plan the next phase of the re-implementation, we have decided to inform internal stakeholders of the current situation, including the Parks and Wildlife Commission, on July 30,” he said. .

When did other government officials find out?

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Dan Gibbs sits on the CPW Commission in a non-elected role. He found out much earlier than the rest of the commission.

“Captain Gibbs does not remember the exact date he learned of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation rescinding their offer to give wolves to Colorado for our efforts to restore the lands. He thinks it was around June 11 and came through CPW Director Jeff Davis,” said a DNR spokesperson.

Colorado agriculture commissioner Kate Greenberg also sits on the commission in an unelected role.

“Regarding Commissioner Greenberg’s awareness of this issue, he was notified at the same time the PWC (Parks and Wildlife Commission) was notified,” a spokesperson for the agriculture department said.

Response from the Southern Ute Indian Reservation

A spokesperson for the family sent this statement to 9NEWS:

“Since the recovery of the gray wolf, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe has been active in collaborative efforts with Colorado Parks and Wildlife as well as the Colorado Attorney General’s Office to address the Tribe’s concerns, including the consequences that possible wolves, deer and elk herds, and the use of Brunot Area hunting rights reserved for Tribal Members The Tribe also shared its views on the challenges we The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Indian Tribe deeply appreciates its ongoing and strong relationship with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and will continue to work with they create a collaborative framework that enables the State to implement its resettlement program while respecting the sovereignty of the Tribes and the shared interest of the Tribe and Land in Brunot’s place. “

The spokesperson did not directly respond to the Southern Ute Indian Reservation’s communication with the Colville Tribes.

For more on this story, including a timeline, and a full copy of the letter sent by the Colville Tribes, visit our news partners at 9NEWS.com.