DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado specialty license plate has generated more than $1 million for wolves and livestock across the state.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, with the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, announced Thursday the “Born to Be Wild” license plate has generated more than $1 million in annual contributions.
According to CPW and the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, the “Born to Be Wild” has reached number seven in a field of 55 group specialty plates within 21 months. The specialty plate shows a gray wolf in the center with a black and white mountain silhouette.
“The plate’s strong showing—surpassing $1 million in cash to CPW in less than 24 months—demonstrates just how Colorado is doing wolves differently. The enthusiasm of tens of thousands of Coloradans proves that coexistence programs, backed by proactive tools and funding, can succeed,” said Rob Edward, President of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project.
The Thursday announcement comes after the state reintroduced the first gray wolves in December 2023. During the same year, the specialty license plate, also known as House Bill 23-1265, was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis.
The funding from the license plate goes to CPW to support non-lethal conflict mitigation tools and management practices for ranchers.
“This program has provided vital contributions that fund ongoing non-lethal mitigation techniques that protect the wolves, as well as our agricultural producers, and the rural communities of our state. CPW is grateful to the legislators, non-governmental organizations, and Coloradans who have made the Born To Be Wild License Plate such a success,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis.
Since the reintroduction of wolves, CPW has reported several wolf depredations from April 2025 to March 2026. In May, the agency reported that it had killed a gray wolf in Pitkin County after attacks on livestock. In September, about 5 months after the Pitkin County report, CPW also stated it had shot a wolf due to depredation of livestock in Rio Blanco County.
However, Matt Barnes, a board member with the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project and research associate with the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative, notes in the release that as other states have seen that “conflict minimization methods work” when used in the right context.
“Ranching alongside wolves isn’t always easy, and Colorado is developing programs to shorten the learning curve. No other state has a funding source comparable to the Born To Be Wild license plate,” said Barnes.
For those wanting to purchase the “Born to Be Wild” plate, it has an annual fee of $50 alongside other one-time charges, which can be found on the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project’s website.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
