The Problem With The Plan Proposed By City Staff

If the members of City Council approve the plan, it is likely almost 6000 prairie dogs (the majority of Boulder's prairie dog population) will be killed. It is important to note that the vast majority of prairie dog habitat (nearly 99%) has long since been destroyed in its conversion to human use. Boulder should stand as it always has -- as a leader for environmental justice. Some 96 acres of prairie dogs – about 1900 prairie dogs – will be immediately impacted by the plan.

The plan is biased toward killing and is being driven by special interests who claim that too much money is spent on urban prairie wildlife management. In fact, the city’s own figures indicate that only about 1/10 of 1% (or 0.1% or 1 penny for every $10) of Boulder’s budget is spent on urban prairie wildlife management.

The plan relies on relocation to save prairie dogs who live on colonies slated for removal. But the city is making no effort to purchase relocation land; therefore, the animals likely will die.