How many wolves in 100 years?

DENVER – The first wolf in the wild in 60 years was confirmed in Colorado last June, and yet others are expected to migrate from the packs around Yellowstone National Park in coming years. Meanwhile, wolves reintroduced into Arizona and New Mexico may be loping northward into Colorado, and if not, they may be reintroduced.With all of this going on, how many wolves can be expected in Colorado 100 years from now? The moderator at a panel discussion held in Denver during February asked that question, and the answers that he received seemed to surprise even the panelists. While various surveys have put the number at nearly 1,000, two of the most knowledgeable speakers had the same answer: 0.Ed Bangs, who supervised the gray wolf recovery in the Yellowstone region for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said he doubted Coloradans would make room for wolves in the long term. It could be done, but at some cost and inconvenience. Gary Skiba, the Colorado Division of Wildlife biologist who is supervising creation of a plan that anticipates return of the wolf, said essentially the same thing.Telluride adopts green building codeTELLURIDE – Telluride town officials are adopting a building code that mandates energy efficient and environmentally benign techniques in construction of residential housing.A point system is to be used, and a house, condominium or town-home project must accrue a minimum number of points from a long menu of possible construction and design techniques.Multiple-residential structures get a head start, because of their more environmentally munificent density, explained The Telluride Watch. An ebullient town council member, Hilary White, predicted the code will be a model for other communities.Whether it will have much impact in Telluride is anther matter. The town is essentially built out, and White and other council members have vigorously opposed any plans for expansion.Vail, Colorado