Horse roundup start date still to be determined

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has tentatively set a starting date of Sept. 11 for a plan to reduce the wild horse population in the Little Book Cliffs area. However, the contract for the project has not yet been issued, and the exact starting date is still to be determined. The latest national schedule for rounding up wild horses and burros, issued on July 31, includes the Sept. 11 date for the Little Book Cliffs operation.

The roundup, also known as a gather, will involve using a helicopter to help round up and capture the animals. The exact starting date will only be known after the BLM hires a contractor for the work. Additionally, the decision to proceed with the roundup by BLM Grand Junction Field Office Manager Stacey Colón is currently subject to an appeal period, with appeals required to be filed within 30 days of the decision.

The plan to reduce the wild horse population in the Little Book Cliffs area is part of a larger effort to manage the herd within the appropriate population range. The BLM aims to lower the population to about 105-120 animals, which falls within the mid-range of the appropriate management level of 90 to 150 animals. This adjusted goal has been welcomed by Judy Cady, president of the local Friends of the Mustangs group, which works with the BLM to manage the herd.

Despite concerns raised by Governor Jared Polis and some horse activists about the use of helicopters in gathering horses, the BLM defends the approach as safe and effective. The agency plans to combine the use of fertility controls with water or bait trapping to maintain the herd size at desired levels once the initial gathers have been conducted.

A bill passed in Colorado in 2023 aims to address wild horse management issues in the state, providing new funding for fertility controls. State lawmakers have expressed concerns about the Little Book Cliffs roundup plans and urged the BLM to manage the herd size using fertility controls. BLM Colorado Director Doug Vilsack has emphasized the importance of reducing the herd size to prevent overpopulation and maintain rangeland health.

While the BLM has faced criticism for its roundup plans, it has committed to working with the state to implement a robust fertility control program. The agency is also open to involving the state veterinarian in the gather to ensure the horses receive proper care. Governor Polis has expressed his commitment to working with the BLM to ensure the humane and sustainable management of Colorado’s wild horses.

Overall, despite concerns and uncertainties surrounding the roundup, there is a sense of progress and collaboration between the BLM, state officials, and advocacy groups in managing the wild horse population in the Little Book Cliffs area. With new funding and initiatives in place, there is hope for a more effective and sustainable approach to wild horse management in Colorado.