Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado Department of Agriculture Range Rider Program is fully staffed, trained and deployed to reduce wolf conflicts
Travis Duncan
DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), in partnership with Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), now has a fully staffed Range Rider Program ready to deploy to reduce wolf conflicts in Colorado. The program is one component of CPW’s overall Livestock Conflict Minimization Program and is featured in CPW’s Wolf-Livestock Conflict Minimization Program Guide. CPW hired 11 skilled contract riders from local communities to join two riders from CDA in supporting livestock producers and mitigating potential wolf conflicts beginning this spring. Range riders are trained personnel with a specialized set of skills who spend time with livestock to monitor for the presence of wolves and deploy hazing techniques to deter wolves. The job requires working closely with livestock producers as well as a strong understanding of animal husbandry and stockmanship techniques.
“Having range riders out on the landscape further expands our already strong conflict minimization program,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “We take our responsibility for the wellbeing of the ranchers, their livestock and the wolves very seriously.”
Colorado is one of only three states in the country to have a range rider program (Washington and Arizona also have programs). CPW has contracted with 11 range riders throughout northwest Colorado (with potential to hire one more this season if needed). These riders are contracted to be available to serve Jackson, Grand, Routt, Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, Summit, Rio Blanco, and Moffat counties, but have the ability to move to areas of greater potential conflict. The riders will work up to 22 days per month throughout the five-month on-range season, from April to October with some riders who started early to assist producers with calving and lambing.
The range riders have completed a four-day training to kick off the on-range season. The training, which included a few agricultural producers, prepared the participants for managing predator conflict on the open range during the warmer summer and fall months.
“The Range Rider Program is a vital investment in the future of Colorado's ranching communities,” said Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. “By providing skilled personnel to work alongside our producers, we are actively expanding their capacity to manage potential conflicts, ensuring the resilience of their operations and fostering successful coexistence with predators on our shared landscapes.”
The contracted riders bring extensive experience in livestock behavior, land management, and animal husbandry. Each hire is providing their own truck, trailer, horses, ATV/UTV, and necessary gear for on-range patrols. Candidates were recommended by local stockgrower or cattlemen’s organizations.
"We looked for individuals who already understand livestock behavior and the needs of their local communities, are effective communicators, are capable of safe and independent work, and those willing to collaborate with CPW and CDA staff," said CPW Wildlife Damage Specialist & Interim Program Lead Max Morton.
Range Rider Responsibilities
- Monitoring Livestock – Riders identify predator presence, monitor livestock health, and proactively haze predators using non-lethal techniques.
- Data Collection – Riders record GPS-tracked routes and document predator signs to aid CPW in understanding predator-livestock interactions.
- Flexible Scheduling – Riders work 4-5 days a week, including night shifts, during periods of increased predator activity.
- Specialized Training – Riders are trained on livestock management, wildlife tracking, hazing methods, and communication strategies.
Livestock producers interested in hiring their own range riders may be eligible for funding through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) program. Those interested should contact their local NRCS office or a CPW Wildlife Damage Specialist for details.
Funding for the Range Rider program
Revenue from the Born to Be Wild license plate helps support the statewide Range Rider Program. CPW estimates the Statewide Range Rider Program to cost roughly $500,000 this year, which includes a budget for materials, training and range rider contracts.
This joint effort with CDA is part of CPW's expanded and improved conflict minimization program for Colorado livestock producers. Visit CPW’s website for more information about managing wolves in Colorado.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
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