Since April 2, wolves have killed six cattle in west Grand County. Local livestock producers have used a variety of non-lethal deterrents to keep the wolves at bay. Although these deterrents have failed in some cases to protect herds, one tool hasn’t been tried yet in Grand County – range riders.

Range riders are individuals who peruse the landscape, either on horseback or in a vehicle, to proactively manage livestock and search for signs of predators. These individuals can establish a human presence to drive away wolves and alert ranchers and officials that wolves are amongst livestock. Their success – or failure – depends on many factors.

On April 29, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced they are partnering with the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association to get range riders on the ground.

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According to a news release, its agency is providing up $20,000 to the Middle Park Stockgrowers to use toward non-lethal deterrents, such as nighttime patrols and range riders.

“Middle Park ranchers have long dealt with predators, but this is a new situation for our community. We’re thankful for the partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Colorado Parks and Wildlife which will let us bring in additional help to protect our animals,” Middle Park Stockgrowers President Tim Ritschard stated in the news release. 

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All non-lethal tools, including range riders, will be purchased and contracted through the Middle Park Stockgrowers. In the news release, CPW Director Jeff Davis celebrated the funding for range riders.

“By partnering with the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association, CPW and CDA are providing immediate support while also investing in long-term solutions through education and funding for non-lethal deterrents,” he said.

Previously, Davis had refused the stockgrowers’ request to lethally remove two wolves that had committed depredations in Grand County. The stockgrowers, along with other stakeholders such as the Grand County commissioners, had asked for lethal control to prevent depredations. In the case of the new range riders, their goal is to not lethally remove wolves.

Working Circle is a range riding organization that serves Colorado, California, Washington and Oregon. Karin Vardaman, the director of Working Circle, told Sky-Hi News that the organization is planning to provide range riders, or support riders in Grand County.

“We are here to serve ranchers and ranching communities based on their individual needs including identifying and helping to address vulnerabilities that can lead to cattle loss from wolves,” Vardaman stated. “Part of this is utilizing range riders as a proactive tool to implement practices and approaches to reduce the risk of wolf-livestock conflict.”  

In addition to the $20,000 to the Stockgrowers for assistance such as range riders, wolf conflict mitigation programs are receiving more funding. These programs support producers to use non-lethal measures. Governor Jared Polis recently allocated more funding for these programs in the 2024-25 state budget.

Range riders – will they work?

Before 10 wolves were released on the Western Slope, two wolves in North Park committed depredations of cattle, sheep and dogs. Range riders were deployed in North Park, but their efforts didn’t always save the animals. For example, the Gittleson ranch in Walden experienced depredations of cattle during the night, even after hiring a range rider.

Grand County Commissioner Merrit Linke explained to Sky-Hi News that range riding is more complicated than simply patrolling an area. They must have a close partnership with the ranchers they are helping.

He stated that lots of factors impact a range riders’ success – from understanding the country and the weather, to understanding the cattle and the wolves’ behaviors. This is especially critical because the wolves that have committed depredations are more “desensitized to humans and human activity,” Linke said.

Thankfully, the Middle Park Stockgrowers, a nonprofit organization, is now equipped to select their own range riders. Linke added it’s critical that range riders are placed in the right spot at the right time (including overnight), which can be difficult.

“It’s not going to completely solve the problem, but it is it is a positive step,” Linke said of the addition of range riders.

Grand County is vast, encompassing nearly 2,000 square miles. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, there are 267 farms here, and 526 producers. That’s a lot of land and a lot of people for the riders to protect.