Applications are open for Colorado’s Range Riding program as Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeks to grow the program in its second year.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado Department of Agriculture launched the state’s range riding program in April 2024 to help reduce conflict between wolves and livestock.
Range riders help mitigate conflict by providing a human presence on landscapes to deter wolves from livestock. Additionally, they serve as “eyes and ears” for producers, wildlife managers and biologists, according to Parks and Wildlife.
“Riders are tasked with knowing the behavior and activity of livestock and wildlife and how it changes over time so they can notice a potential or existing conflict while there’s still time to take action,” said Rae Nickerson, a wolf damage and conflict minimization manager for Parks and Wildlife.
The state contracted 11 range riders in 2024, who were deployed in Pitkin, Jackson, Moffat, Routt, Rio Blanco, Grand and Eagle counties. Two were full-time state employees and the remainder were contracted and deployed based on need. During a legislative meeting on Thursday, Jan. 8, Reid DeWalt, deputy director for Parks and Wildlife, said that range riders were assigned to ranches or areas where wolves were present, including in areas surrounding the four den sites established in 2025.
The contracted riders were employed from April to October, aligning with calving season and when livestock take to summer grazing allotments.
In 2026, as wolves disperse more across the state, Colorado is hoping to also contract riders in southwest counties. Luke Perkins, a public information officer for Parks and Wildlife, said in December the state is planning to hire up to 24 riders this year.
Interested individuals can apply through the Colorado Vendor Self Service website through Friday, Feb.6. Parks and Wildlife is also hosting an information session on Friday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. in person at its Grand Junction office in the hunter education building or online.
Interviews are expected to occur in February, with contracts awarded in the spring. All contracted riders will start in April and attend training facilitated by Parks and Wildlife and the state Department of Agriculture. The training will focus on wildlife tracks and signs, best range riding practices, important tools and technology, and livestock monitoring techniques.
The riders will work up to 22 days per month throughout the five-month season from April to October. They will be provided with the necessary nonlethal hazing tools, but are required to provide their own transportation — horses, ATVs, trucks, trailers — and insurance.
Range riders are expected to be located primarily in the county they are initially assigned, but could be moved based on need and wolf activity.
To apply, visit CPW.Info/3LxTIIG, select “View Published Solicitations” from the menu and search for “range rider.”
