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Boulder Open Space trustees review prairie dog expansion, staff outline limits to changing seasonal moratorium
Summary
Trustees and staff reviewed 2024 maps showing a sharp expansion of prairie dog acreage on Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) lands, discussed operational challenges for lethal-control programs and the procedural steps required to change the city'adopted seasonal moratorium on lethal control.
Trustees of the City of Boulder Open Space Board of Trustees on Feb. 12 reviewed data and public testimony showing expanded prairie dog occupancy on OSMP lands and discussed whether to seek a change to the city'adopted seasonal moratorium that pauses lethal control during the prairie dog breeding season.
Board chair Michelle Estrella opened the discussion after public comments flagged soil erosion and crop losses on irrigated parcels. "Please be brave and direct staff to deal with excessive prairie dog populations, which are destroying our open space lands," Elizabeth Black told the trustees during public comment, and Paula Schuler, a long‑time local farmer, urged the board to "initiate a serious conversation and then initiate actions to remove the seasonal moratorium for lethal control on irrigated parcels."
Why it matters: OSMP staff reported that prairie dog–occupied acres rose in 2024 and that the increase included both irrigated agricultural parcels and protected prairie dog areas. The board'level…
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