By Rob Edward
The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project heralded a landmark achievement as the ‘Born To Be Wild’ license plate reached a critical milestone, generating more than $1 million in annual contributions to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). This achievement is a pivotal moment for wildlife conservation and coexistence efforts across the West. The beautiful plate debuted in January 2024 and has rocketed to number seven in a field of 55 group specialty plates in 21 short months.
More information about the ‘Born To Be Wild’ license plate is available at wolfplate.org.
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.
Courtney Vail, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project’s Board Chair, explains, “Coloradans are showing that wolves and people can thrive together. The Born To Be Wild plate is a symbol of hope, making clear that our wildlands can support both wildlife and working ranches. Every plate on the road is a vote for a wilder Colorado, ensuring recurring revenue for the state’s wildlife agency for years to come.”
“The Born To Be Wild License Plate has been a tremendous funding source for CPW as we work to build a sustainable gray wolf population in the Centennial State and minimize conflict between livestock and wolves,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “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.”
“More resilient ranches are less vulnerable to many risk factors, including predation,” said Matt Barnes, a former ranch manager now a board member with the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, and research associate with the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative. “We know from other states that conflict minimization methods work if they’re used in the right context — whether that’s fladry and flashing lights around a calving pasture, or range riders proactively managing cattle grazing in the high country.
“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.”
“Tens of thousands of Coloradans are now directly supporting our wolves and ranchers. The plate has raised more money for livestock-wolf conflict mitigation than anyone, including the ranching associations,” said James Pribyl, Chair, Colorado Nature Action, former chair of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.
The Born To Be Wild license plate program directly supports science-based, non-lethal conflict mitigation tools and management practices for ranchers. The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project and CPW express deep gratitude to Coloradans whose passion and participation make this program a success.
More information about the Born To Be Wild license plate is available at wolfplate.org.
Rob Edward writes for the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project.