CPW Doubles Reward After Multiple Elk Killings in Las Animas County

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) intensified its response to a string of illegal kills after four elk carcasses were discovered on four separate ranches in Las Animas County. The agency announced on December 30, 2025 that it had doubled the reward for information leading to a citation or arrest to $4,000, signaling heightened concern about poaching in the region.

The elk were shot on September 13, 26 and 27 in areas near the Stonewall and Picketwire communities. CPW investigators documented differing conditions among the carcasses: one elk was shot and abandoned whole; one was wounded and later had to be put down; one was shot with the backstraps removed; and one had its head removed while no meat was taken. The presence of the carcasses on private ranchland has required landowners to deal with remains and has raised questions about enforcement and public safety on rural properties.

CPW urged anyone with information to contact Operation Game Thief anonymously by calling 1-877-265-6648 or emailing game.thief@state.co.us. The agency also noted that individuals willing to testify leading to charges could be eligible for a preference point or a hunting license, providing a formal incentive linked to the state’s wildlife management processes.

The decision to increase the reward to $4,000 underscores both the agency’s intent to secure actionable leads and the limits of current enforcement resources in sparsely populated counties. For local residents, the incidents highlight the intersection of wildlife conservation, property rights and public accountability. Landowners confronted with carcasses face disposal and biosecurity concerns, while licensed hunters and local communities may see such incidents as damaging to long-standing hunting ethics and to trust in regulatory systems.

Politically, clusters of high-profile poaching can prompt calls from voters for stronger wildlife law enforcement and for clearer coordination between state agencies and county officials. Funding for rural enforcement, allocation of investigative resources and the penalties attached to illegal take are likely to be topics of interest for residents who expect transparent action and results.

CPW investigators continue to pursue leads. Residents with relevant information are urged to come forward through Operation Game Thief to aid prosecution efforts and to help restore confidence in lawful wildlife management across Las Animas County.