Dear State Land Board members:

I am writing to request that your agency assist in the search for a solution to the crisis facing black-tailed prairie dog colonies along the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. The primary threat to these colonies is commercial and residential development, which is proceeding unabated. Prairie dog towns are being destroyed on a weekly basis, and efforts to relocate these animals have ground to a halt because of a lack of relocation land.

Given that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that black-tailed prairie dogs warrant a threatened listing and given the multiple threats they face in the state of Colorado, I ask that you make lands under your jurisdiction available for the relocation of prairie dogs. This restoration of prairie dogs to state land need not conflict with other uses of the land (cattle grazing, recreation, etc.). Numerous scientific studies speak to the compatible and beneficial relationship of prairie dogs and cattle. In addition, I ask you to prohibit the poisoning and shooting of prairie dogs on state lands.

The re-establishment of prairie dog colonies will significantly enhance the natural values and wildlife habitat quality of state land parcels. Please help to preserve black-tailed prairie dogs and the diverse prairie ecosystem that they sustain. Thank you in advance. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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