Federal judge defers decision on lawsuit filed against Colorado's gray wolf reintroduction

A federal judge deferred her decision on a lawsuit filed by Colorado's cattle industry to block the impending reintroduction of gray wolves to the state under a voter-approved initiative.

The Colorado Cattleman's Association and Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife alleging proper environmental impact studies were not conducted. The groups claim the gray wolf reintroduction will create "significant costs on the [cattle] industry."

Several wildlife conservation groups filed a motion Wednesday asking Judge Regina M. Rodriguez to intervene and dismiss the cattle industry's claims.Rodriguez heard arguments Thursday from both sides. 

She said she would try to make a final decision by Friday since the state's reintroduction plan — if upheld — has a Dec. 31 deadline...more