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Colorado's wolves expand their territory

Colorado's collared gray wolves continue to roam the state's northwest corner and central mountains as wildlife officials wait and watch for signs new pups might be born this spring.

The state's 27 collared wolves covered ground across the northwest part of the state, stretching from the northern border near Walden to the hills west of Grand Junction, a map released Wednesday by Colorado Parks and Wildlife shows. Some wolves also moved into the mountains between Carbondale and Aspen and as far south as Salida.

At least one wolf entered a watershed east of the Continental Divide that straddles Interstate 70 between the eastern end of Loveland Pass and U.S. 40 in Clear Creek County.

At least one collared wolf traveled into Wyoming over the last month. U.S. Department of Agriculture staff shot and killed the male wolf on March 15 after it was connected to sheep killings. It was one of 15 wolves captured in Canada and released in Colorado in January as part of the state's effort to reintroduce the species.

Wolves typically breed in February and pups are generally born in April or early May. Pregnant wolves will travel with the pack before giving birth, so it is difficult to know if one is pregnant or where a den site could be until the wolf gives birth, according to CPW.

CPW officials previously said that some wolves are traveling in pairs and that it's possible a pair may have pups this year.