05/04/2026
Update May 12th:
Representatives from SWAT met with the BLM yesterday, along with others representing the three other herd management areas in Colorado. This was a scheduled, general meeting, but the removals were the primary focus.
The Sand Wash Basin removal will continue as planned to start on September 10th, and the method used will be helicopter. A total of three hundred are targeted for capture, fifty will be released, and five mares relocated to the Little Book Cliffs Herd Area. In total 245 horses will be removed from the range, including horses from outside the HMA, of which there are close to 100 documented. The number taken from the outside will reduce the number taken from within the HMA.
The reason for the removal is primarily to get the herd within AML, Appropriate Management Level. The AML is determined by several factors, but primarily it is concerned with the health of the range and how many animals can utilize the land without major damage. This includes horses, elk, deer, antelope, and the sheep who are trailed through the Basin seasonally. The ranchers have reduced their utilization of the Basin, and less sheep are being moved through because of the grazing conditions due to drought.
Once again, we strongly expressed our displeasure over the use of helicopters, however there was no changing the decision already made. Due to the inability of the State of Colorado and the Federal Government to come to agreement, we no longer have a BLM holding facility in our state. Our horses will be transported to Rock Springs, Wyoming.
At the last large helicopter removal in 2021, all our horses were in the holding facility in Canon City. Sand Wash Basin horses were kept separate from horses from other areas. We had full access to the complex and were able to document the horses with photos shortly after they arrived, and then individually in preparation for adoption. This photo documentation allowed us to better promote them for adoption. We hope we have the same opportunity in Rock Springs, we shall see.
We will update you from time to time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update May 7th:
As previously stated, the BLM intends to remove horses down to mid AML, rather than their initial plan of removing to low AML. The target number for removal is now 100 less, and is set at 245. The method of removal remains by helicopter.
The timing has changed from July to September 10th - 30th. September is typically not as hot as July, and most foals will be older and stronger. This schedule starts after the removal of 911 horses from Piceance Basin HMA, scheduled to end August 31st. Piceance is about 90 miles south of SWB.
Horses from outside the HMA will also be removed, and we understand will be counted towards the total taken. There is no fence along portions of the east perimeter of the HMA, which allows SWB horses to go outside the boundary, because after all, they don’t know there is such a thing as a designated area they are supposed to stay within!
We, along with other BLM volunteer partner groups, have a scheduled meeting with BLM leadership on Monday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you keep up with the BLM Gather Schedule, you will have seen a removal of Sand Wash Basin horses is scheduled for July of this year. The tentative schedule called for the removal of 100 horses using the bait and trap method.
At their request, we met with the BLM 2 weeks ago, where they presented their updated gather plans. In this meeting, we were told plans had changed, and they intended to remove several hundred horses, taking the herd down to Low AML, which is 163 horses. And we were told the horses would be rounded up by helicopter.
We took a week to process this information, and after discussion with the SWAT Board members we sent our response.
• We reminded the BLM we have never supported helicopter gathers and never will.
• We asked the BLM to continue with the bait and trap of 100 horses as previously planned, and to follow up with small, manageable removals annually.
• We provided our current population estimate, which is 459. This number includes a 5% attrition rate to account for deceased horses which are not yet documented as having died.
• We pointed out the removal of 100 horses by bait and trap would take us down to 359, just under the high AML of 362.
• We told them our population growth rates for the last 5 years, on average 9%. Herds not treated with population control, PZP in our case, have a population growth rate of up to 25%. We have reduced growth by more than half, which means less gathers and less horses in holding and because of that, saved millions of dollars.
• We told them we recently put out a call on our page for new volunteers and had much interest from 10 potential new darters, which can only make us more successful in keeping herd growth down. And we told them our concern of losing volunteers because of the gather.
On Wednesday April 29th, we were asked to join a call. The BLM has changed their target number, and rather than reducing the herd to Low AML of 163, will go to mid AML 262, allowing 100 more to remain free. They intend to remove 245 in total. However, they have not changed their method of removal, and stated their intention to use helicopters.
Our concern with helicopter roundups are the what they always are, chasing horses in the heat of summer, foals not being able to keep up with the family band, being separated and left alone, the distance the horses are pushed to name a few.
As of today, Colorado has no BLM holding facility, which means unless things change between now and July, our horses will be taken out of state to Utah or Wyoming. These facilities are private and in the past have not been open to volunteer advocates such as ourselves.
We will follow up with the BLM in writing with our concerns and requests.
We will keep you informed.
Thank you, the SWAT Team.
Photo of stallion Montie and mare Roulette, who evaded capture in 2016 by jumping over the 6' panels at the trap. Roulette jumped from a complete standstill, and Montie took a little run at it, both cleared it easily and remained free!
