Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Range Riders

Wolves roam, pups are born, riders deployed—but land-use plans still stuck in 2023
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

Wolves roam, pups are born, riders deployed—but land-use plans still stuck in 2023

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice Wolves are roaming, ranchers are riding – but the rulebook hasn’t changed. Wolves are traveling farther, forming dens and producing pups. Many have turned up dead — especially in Wyoming, where wolves that prey on livestock can be killed on sight under state law.  Yet not one federal or state land-use plan in Colorado has been updated since gray wolf reintroduction began in December 2023. That’s the backdrop for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s May 13 press release announcing that its Range Rider Program is fully operational and patrolling western Colorado.  Eleven contracted riders hired by CPW have joined two staff from the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) to monitor livestock, haze predators and report signs of wolf-livestock ...
Colorado hires range riders to protect livestock from wolves as Boebert pushes to delist wolves
Approved, CBS Colorado, State

Colorado hires range riders to protect livestock from wolves as Boebert pushes to delist wolves

By Spencer Wilson | CBS Colorado Colorado wildlife officials are working to hire range riders to protect livestock from the recently reintroduced wolves as some elected officials are pushing to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list. Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, whose district includes much of Colorado's Eastern Plains, is part of an effort to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act aims to give states control over their own gray wolf populations. Ranchers have continuously raised concerns about wolves preying on livestock while wildlife biologists and environmental activists say wolves are vital to keeping ecological balance and preventing certain species from becoming overpopulated.  READ THE F...