Larimer County commissioners approved relocating the WOLF Sanctuary Monday night after a 5½-hour meeting that drew about 300 people.
Moments before midnight, Larimer County commissioners voted 2-1 to allow the sanctuary to move 30 wolves and wolf dogs from its current location near Rist Canyon to the Red Feather Lakes area, .
“I always try to put myself in the neighbors’ shoes,” Commissioner Steve Johnson said, the Coloradoan reported. “One barking dog is horrible. … Sixty wolf dogs are never going to go away for these neighbors.”
The commissioners also limited the number of public tours at the new facility to two tours per day five days a week. The sanctuary asked to have three or four tours per day, the Coloradoan reported.
Residents near the new site expressed concerns about the risk of wolves escaping and rabies, the .
“Since the risk of escape cannot be excluded, it should be asked if residents of the surrounding area (approve) … the answer is no,” Monica Finlayson said.
Others supported the sanctuary and called it an asset, the Reporter-Herald reported.
“The WOLF Sanctuary has an impeccable reputation nationwide. I think this would enhance the character of Larimer County and the state of Colorado should you choose to approve it,” said Diane Balkin.
Shelley Coldiron, WOLF executive director, said the new location is necessary because the current site was damaged by the Hyde Park Fire and 2013 Northern Colorado floods, the Reporter-Herald reported.
