The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced a proposal to establish a nonessential experimental population (NEP) of gray wolves in Colorado in response to a request by the state. Establishment of this NEP would provide for allowable, legal, purposeful, and incidental killing of the gray wolf within a defined NEP area. FWS will accept public comments through April 18, 2023. Some conservationists have criticized the proposal for allowing ranchers to shoot wolves on sight, on public lands, under some circumstances.