Years ago in CO we were camping at about 9k and a couple family/friends went hiking from camp with dogs about a mile from camp and were surrounded by wolves. They got good pictures. Luckily no harm done. They told the Rangers and Rangers denied it saying it was just coyotes. Pictures showed otherwise. They eventually confirmed with other Rangers had confirmed numerous wolf sightings in that area. A couple years later, wolves in the area was treated as normal common knowledge just like covid bullshit. Likely animals have always been in co, Tahoe, etc. The more they breed, the more likely they will be noticed.