A series of wolf attacks over the Memorial Day weekend left two calves dead and several others injured, according to the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.

The incidents occurred at the Lost Marbles Ranch, Crystal River Ranch, and McCabe Ranch in the Aspen-Snowmass area.

The attack at the Lost Marbles Ranch was carried out in broad daylight by a trio of wolves from the Copper Creek pack, the first group of gray wolves released into the wild as part of the state’s reintroduction program.

Several members of the Copper Creek Pack have already been relocated due to repeated attacks on livestock.

CCA Executive Director Erin Spaur stated that the attacks represent a “clear betrayal of the public trust” and called for CPW to remove the Copper Creek Pack in compliance with the state’s Wolf Plan, given their history of chronic depredation.

According to CCA, the wolves entered the ranch’s calving grounds, separating a calf from its mother and severely injuring it.

“It’s hard to describe the heartbreak of finding a calf torn apart in the middle of the field you’ve been tending day and night,” said Mike Cerveny, the rancher whose animals were attacked. “We work around the clock to protect our livestock, only to be blindsided like this and not even told wolves were in the area until it was too late.”

Ceverney also experienced confirmed wolf depredations in March.

The incident at Crystal River Ranch occurred on May 22, leaving one calf dead and another injured. Colorado Parks and Wildlife dispatched a range rider to the area to respond. However, according to Tom Harrington, who serves as manager of Crystal River Ranch and president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, the agency failed to provide the rider with essential information, such as his contact information and a map of the area.

“I learned about the wolf activity and the range rider’s presence through our local brand inspector a day before I ever heard from wildlife officials,” he said. “We were promised partnership, but it seems that the relationship has gone to the wayside. We’re left trying to figure this out on our own, rancher to rancher, neighbor to neighbor. The Governor wants celebratory headlines about his successes, but he couldn’t care less about the actual impacts. He’s made his disfavorable opinion about those of us who choose a rural lifestyle loud and clear.”

“This isn’t just about one attack or another,” said Brad Day, a rancher who helped Cerveny in the aftermath of the attack at his property. “This is about a failed process that prioritizes politics over people. In true Governor Polis fashion, the reintroduction was rushed, communication is broken and producers are the ones paying the price emotionally and financially. He would rather control how CPW field staff do their jobs than actually listen to them.”

Day also lost a calf to wolf depredation over the weekend, and two of his animals were animals were attacked by wolves earlier this month.

The Cattlemen’s Association continues to call for a pause to the wolf reintroduction program, which is a voter-approved initiative, until Colorado Parks and Wildlife programs can be fully implemented, refined and assessed.

“After this denning season, the state’s wolf population is expected to approach 40 animals,” the association said in a statement. “Following last year’s half-million-dollar depredation claims, ranchers argue that more time is needed to reduce conflict, evaluate current efforts, and learn what works before expanding the reintroduction effort.”

As livestock losses continue to add up, it’s costing the state more money. Ranchers submitted more than $453,000 in claims for damaged caused to herds in March.