They're heeeere ...

Although Colorado voters will have their say on whether or not to formally reintroduce wolves in November, there are signs the large canids have already taken up residence.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says it has an eyewitness report of six wolves traveling together in Moffat County, in the far northwest corner of the state, last October. This is in conjunction with a discovery last week of a “thoroughly” scavenged elk carcass a few miles from the sighting.

"The sighting marks the first time in recent history CPW has received a report of multiple wolves traveling together," CPW Northwest Regional Manager JT Romatzke said. "In addition, in the days prior, the eyewitness says he heard distinct howls coming from different animals."

The sighting is the latest in a string of credible reports of wolf activity in Colorado in the past several years. The presence of one wolf was confirmed by DNA testing a few years ago, and more recently, a wolf from the Snake River Pack was caught on film and is still being tracked.

"It is inevitable that they would travel here from states where their populations are well-established," Romatzke said.

Romatzke said CPW’s protocol is to not take any direct action. Wolves are federally protected as an endangered species and fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. “As wolves move into the state on their own, we will work with our federal partners to manage the species," he said.