Colorado Lawmakers Urge Halt to Helicopter Wild Horse Roundups Amid Welfare Concerns
Colorado Governor Jared Polis and four U.S. Congress members, including Joe Neguse, Brittany Pettersen, Diana DeGette, and Jason Crow, have jointly sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) demanding an immediate halt to helicopter-assisted wild horse roundups in the state. This action follows a large-scale roundup in August in the Piceance-East Douglas wild horse herd management area, where 894 wild horses were captured and 9 died. Another roundup is scheduled for the Sand Wash Basin, intensifying the debate between state and federal authorities over wild horse management. The lawmakers expressed deep concern for the safety and welfare of the horses, citing the inhumane nature of helicopter roundups, which can cause extreme stress, injury, and even death. Governor Polis described the roundups as 'inhumane,' noting that horses are 'frightened, injured, and terrified,' with some dying during the process. Congressman Neguse stated he was 'appalled' by recent foot...