Boulder Open Space details 2024 prairie dog program: removals, barrier pilot, plague vaccine and monitoring

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) staff on Wednesday summarized 2024 work on prairie dog management across the city—s holdings, describing expanded colony acreage, a new neighbor-facing barrier cost-share pilot, ongoing relocations to Pueblo, plague vaccination, and plans to continue both lethal control on irrigated agricultural fields and restoration work.

Tori, an OSMP wildlife staff member, said the agency received 30 applications during a two-week open application period for a pilot barrier cost-share program that has $75,000 earmarked for initial awards. "We have 75,000 in funds for this initial pilot program," Tori said, adding the program will pay 50% of barrier costs using a flat fee of $12.88 per lineal foot as the basis for awards.

The pilot is intended to reduce conflict between prairie dogs and private neighbors by subsidizing barriers such as chicken-wire aprons. Tori described the program as a multiyear pilot that will be evaluated using applicant scoring criteria and public feedback; staff expect to announce awards in early 2025. She said applicants may propose alternate materials but OSMP will not increase its contribution for higher-cost materials.

Eric Fairley, an OSMP staff member who leads irrigated-agriculture conflict work, described the agency—s expanded removal program and the restoration work that typically follows removals. He said OSMP removed prairie dogs from roughly 296 acres in 2024 using a combination of contractor and staff effort and expects to target about 250—200 acres in 2025, with a planning range of roughly 250—300 acres if weather and contracts permit. The department plans to add another perk machine to increase capacity; Fairley said the agency expects to operate "2 and a half" perk machines on average by assigning two full-time crews and using a third as available.

Relocat…