09/15/2026
I only recently heard about this pending roundup in and near Sand Wash Basin BLM in Colorado - again by helicopter, which seemingly always results in more deaths of horses. The roundup has been postponed to September 19, but I have no reason to believe it will be called off. If you feel moved to contact the powers that be to express concern for the plight of these horses, please do so. Gratitude to Governor Jared Polis and Representative Joe Neguse for calling for the immediate cease of helicopter roundups in Colorado, but as far as I know, nothing has been changed. BLM has again contracted with Cattoor Livestock for the helicopter chase. Thank you to Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse Advocate Team - SWAT for your advocacy and updates.
EDIT: If you comment please do so without threats of violence!
We know many of you have questions and are anxious to hear more details about the upcoming removal of horses from Sand Wash Basin. Unfortunately, this is a helicopter roundup, and not a bait and trap gather as we had hoped. The contractor hired by the BLM is Cattoor Livestock, the same contractor who conducted the helicopter removal in 2021.
The roundup will start September 17th outside the HMA, exactly where will be determined by the location of horses, along the Little Snake River, to the east across the river, or to the north towards Wyoming. These horses do not reside within the HMA but can be found on public and private property several miles away. The length of this activity depends on the number of horses in the area, 3-4 days, but that’s just a guess. Horses gathered will be counted towards the total number removed, including those from within the Basin. There will be the opportunity for public observation.
After the conclusion of the outside roundup, the BLM will move to inside the Basin itself, the HMA. The start date will be determined by the length of time taken outside the Basin, perhaps the 21st but again, that’s just a guess. There will be public viewing, similar to the viewing at the recent Piceance Basin removal. You will need to sign up to attend, further information will be shared as we get closer and have more detailed information from the BLM Public Information Office. If you sign up to view, you can plan on meeting early in the morning to be escorted by vehicle to the observation point. Depending on the area and weather conditions appropriate high clearance vehicle with good tires may be required.
Population:
Currently, we have approximately 487 horses in our database, including missing and unaccounted-for horses: 264 males, 212 females, and 12 of unknown gender. Using our 5% loss rate, we estimate the current population within the HMA to be 463 horses. The BLM estimate is 469.
• Number to be rounded up: 300.
• Number to be removed: 254-255.
• Number to be released back into the Basin: 50 (more stallions may be released than mares, tbd)
• Number of mares to be relocated to Little Book Cliffs HA: 4-5
The AML (appropriate management level as determined by the BLM) for SWB is 163-362, this means the herd should not be depleted to below 163 horses on the low end but not exceed 362 on the high end. The BLM’s reason for this roundup is to achieve mid AML, which would be 262. With the inclusion of the outside horses towards the total removed, we believe the number remaining will be close to this mid AML range.
SWAT Participation:
We will have 2 representatives at the traps daily. These brave volunteers will have the task of identifying horses as they are driven by helicopter into the trap at the temporary holding pen. Horses we have on our Do Not Remove list will be separated and kept in separate pens for release back into the Basin. No mares with 2026 foals will be released. We have compiled a list of horses not to remove. It’s exceedingly difficult but our considerations are color and lineage. The BLM will be looking at conformation as a criteria. It is hard to say which horses will be rounded up, we of course will have more horses on our list than can be released, and challenging decisions will need to be made. This is not an easy task. One horse however is easy, and that is Meteor, the only palomino paint in the Basin. Horses rounded up outside the Basin will not be eligible for release, the BLM has agreed to Meteor being the only exception, in the unlikely event he would be outside the HMA. We will post updates daily on our page.
Because Colorado no longer has a holding facility, our horses will be transported to holding in Rock Springs Wyoming, where they will be “processed.” Processing includes vaccinations, gelding, and freeze branding. At some point they should be available for adoption, and we intend to be involved. We have no current relationship with the BLM outside of Colorado, and Wyoming is not used to working with an involved, hands-on advocacy group such as ours. We are hopeful our Colorado BLM can facilitate our establishing a working relationship.
Thank you for your support of SWAT and the Wild Horse of Sand Wash Basin.
Photo of stallion Meteor courtesy of Kathy, SWAT Volunteer.
