By Shannon Lukens.
PHOTO: Wild horses are gathered using a bait trap in the Bureau of Land Management – Colorado Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area July 14, 2025, near Craig, Colo. The 2025 bait trap was conducted by Little Snake Field Office staff alongside partner groups, who gathered a total of 42 wild horses in 10 days using a permanent trap constructed in 2024. Bait traps combined with fertility control help to reduce the frequency and size of helicopter gathers. (BLM – Colorado photo by Tyrell Turner)
The recent trapping and fertility control of wild horses in Sand Wash Basin, in north Moffat County, is complete, for now. Thirty-eight were gathered in ten days this month, with four gathered last fall for a total of 42.
“We had good conditions to capture horses and be selective in what we removed to keep good genetics on the range.”
That’s Tyrell Turner, who is the Wildhorse Specialist for the Bureau of Land Management in Northwest Colorado.
There were 18 stallions, 19 mares, and five foals. They were taken to a holding facility in Canon City where they will be put up for adoption by the Bureau of Land Management. Canon City Wild Horse Facility
“They get vaccinations and a brand that identifies them as a wild horse. Stallions will be gelded and then from there they will be available for adoption to the public.”
An adoption event is scheduled for Friday, July 25, but only ten spots were available and they are full. BLM Colorado offers wild horses and burros for adoption in Cañon City
It’s estimated that 402 wild horses are still in the Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area. The appropriate level is 162 to 362. This is still over the ALM, which is the Appropriate Management Limit. Turner says the herd will continue to be monitored.
“We monitor the herd year-round for forage and water conditions, and herd health. Our goal is to maintain healthy horses on healthy range lands so we’re always keeping an eye on it.”
Press Release; July 24, 2025 — BLM Colorado field office completes wild horse bait trap gather in Sand Wash Basin
CRAIG, Colo. — After a successful bait trap wild horse gather in Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area, the Bureau of Land Management Colorado Little Snake Field Office wants to thank our partners and BLM staff who made the safe gather of 42 wild horses a success.
“By using fertility control and bait traps, we can reduce the frequency and scope of helicopter gathers in Sand Wash Basin,” said Northwest District Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Tyrell Turner. “The communications and relationships with our partners during trapping have allowed us to be successful managing wild horses in Sand Wash at sustainable levels”
The appropriate management level of the HMA is 162-362 wild horses, with a current population estimate (after the 2025 gather) of 402 wild horses. BLM Colorado is near or at AML in three out of four designated wild horse management areas in Colorado thanks to the support of local communities and engagement of partner groups who augment the BLM’s knowledge of the wild horses and the land.
Last year, BLM Colorado embarked on a unique approach in partnership with local friend groups and the State of Colorado to manage wild horse population in balance with other public land uses while reducing the frequency and scope of wild horse gathers.
The 2025 bait trap gathered 18 stallions, 19 mares and five foals in 10 days.
“The team safely gathered 42 horses this year due to favorable environmental conditions and a safe and effective operation for horses and personnel at the permanent trap constructed in 2024,” said Northwest District Manager Robert Swithers.
Partners spent many hours with BLM staff at the trap site to support identification and release of horses for a diversity of features deemed desirable in the herd, including age structure, color and body type, gender, etc. Learn more about the gather here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/gathers-and-removals/colorado-northwest-do-little
In Sand Wash Basin, fertility control is primarily administered by volunteers from the Sand Wash Advocacy Team and by professional darters, whose positions are funded by the State of Colorado.
For more information about the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program and to learn about opportunities to adopt, visit: https://wildhorsesonline.blm.gov
The Sand Wash Basin HMA is located about 45 miles west of Craig, Colorado, in Moffat County on approximately 158,000 acres of public land. This area is one of Colorado’s most well-known areas to view wild horses due to the unique appearance of several bands and relatively easy accessibility.