DENVER, COLORADO – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is urging the public to come forward with any information related to a series of brazen poaching incidents in Las Animas County that left four large bull elk shot, mutilated, and abandoned on private ranches. The incidents occurred on Sept. 13, 26, and 27 around the communities of Stonewall and Picketwire.
Of the four bulls:
One was shot and abandoned whole.
One was wounded, then later put down.
One was shot after its backstraps were removed (meat taken).
One had its head removed, with no meat taken.
“These were senseless and disgraceful acts which demonstrates a complete disregard for Colorado wildlife,” said Jim Hawkins, CPW’s Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement and Operation Game Thief Coordinator.
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Why Poaching Matters So Much
At its core, poaching is not just the illegal killing of wildlife—it is the theft of a public resource that belongs to all Coloradans. Licensed hunters follow strict rules designed to ensure wildlife populations remain healthy and sustainable. Poachers bypass those rules entirely, undermining the very system that funds conservation.
The impact is far-reaching. Local economies that depend on wildlife tourism and outfitting businesses lose opportunities when trophy animals are taken illegally. Taxpayers shoulder the costs of law enforcement, investigations, and habitat restoration. Ecologically, the loss of mature bull elk can alter herd dynamics, reduce genetic diversity, and diminish the health of the population over time. And on a basic ethical level, abandoning carcasses or killing animals only for trophy parts shows a complete lack of respect for the wildlife that defines Colorado’s landscape.
The Scale of the Problem
These four elk represent just a fraction of the bigger picture. Each year, CPW issues between 2,600 and 3,300 citations for poaching violations, but wildlife officials acknowledge that many more cases go undetected. National studies suggest that as much as 96 percent of poaching in the United States may never be discovered, which means the true scope of the problem is vastly larger than what appears in reports.
The financial toll is staggering. A recent analysis estimated that wildlife poaching costs the United States more than $1.4 billion annually, when combining the value of lost animals with unpaid fines and enforcement costs. For Colorado, that translates to tens of millions of dollars lost every year, money that could otherwise support conservation, outdoor recreation, and rural economies.
Recognizing the seriousness of the issue, Colorado lawmakers passed Senate Bill 25-168 earlier this year to strengthen penalties for wildlife trafficking and expand enforcement authority for CPW officers. Still, the most important deterrent remains the vigilance of everyday Coloradans who report what they see.
What You Can Do
CPW is calling on anyone who may have information about these elk killings to come forward. Even small details—such as a suspicious vehicle parked near ranch property, gunshots heard at odd hours, or unusual activity in the area—could provide critical leads for investigators.
Tips can be submitted anonymously through Operation Game Thief by calling 1-877-265-6648 or emailing game.thief@state.co.us. A $1,000 reward is available for information leading to a citation or arrest. Those who provide information and are willing to testify may also be eligible for a hunting license or preference point as an additional incentive.
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