BLM Plans to Round Up 1,100 Wild Horses in Colorado, Affecting Shared Public Land
According to the Colorado Sun, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has scheduled three wild horse roundups in western Colorado this summer, targeting removal of 1,111 mustangs from rangelands around Meeker and the Wyoming border. Two of the operations will use helicopters. The BLM cited record drought and overpopulation as key drivers, noting the Piceance-East Douglas area currently holds nearly four times its recommended horse count. Removing the animals would cost an estimated $53 million, based on a per-horse cost of $48,000.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- The Piceance-East Douglas herd management area overlaps with active oil production land. Helicopter roundup operations in August could affect site access, traffic patterns, and scheduling for field crews working in the Meeker area.
- Drought conditions driving the roundups also signal tighter water availability across western Colorado public lands, which can affect dust control, hydrovac, and other water-dependent operations.
- Companies holding grazing or surface-use agreements on BLM parcels in the roundup zones should verify whether operations will face any temporary restrictions during removal activities.
