[UPDATE 11/15/2024: Find the latest information about Prairie Dogs at Dry Creek at the Dry Creek Community Park facility webpage.]

The City of Longmont is overseeing an effort to relocate a large prairie dog colony at Dry Creek Community Park. The relocation process is expected to extend from mid-July to mid-August with exact dates dependent on permitting approval, weather and contractor availability.

The prairie dog relocation is necessary to ready the property for Master Plan improvements to include two additional ballfields; outdoor handball, racquetball, and sand volleyball courts; a promenade crossing of Dry Creek; a water plaza with interactive water features; trails and landscaping; an additional playground; restrooms and shelters; additional parking; and a new maintenance building. In accordance with the City’s Wildlife Management Plan, relocation is the preferred management method when prairie dogs are not compatible with a property’s intended use.

The prairie dogs at Dry Creek Community Park will be relocated to the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Pueblo, Colorado. Relocation sites are uncommon, especially those that can accommodate such large numbers as with the colony at Dry Creek Community Park. The Depot’s prairie dog population significantly decreased in 2015-16, due to a plague event, and the site is working to restore the historic animal populations that add to its biodiversity.

The City does not expect to close any trails or sections of the park during the relocation process. However, park visitors should avoid areas where there are traps, should not touch equipment, nor interfere with staff working onsite.

The relocation process will be managed by an experienced contractor and include the following steps:

• Prairie dog population estimates will be gathered and mapping of the colony conducted for planning and permitting purposes.
• Relocation permits from the City of Longmont and Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be secured.
• The capture site will be treated for possible fleas which can carry plague to prairie dog colonies.
• Trapping will begin in late July using approximately 440 wire traps.
• Captured prairie dogs will be removed within four hours of capture and housed in a protected area onsite until the daily trapping period is complete.
• The prairie dogs will be transported to the release site the day of capture or housed up to four nights in a facility approved by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
• The prairie dogs will be transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, who will release the prairie dogs to their new home.
• Any prairie dogs that avoid capture, will be euthanized in their burrows, following approved procedures.

While there is not yet funding allocated for Master Plan improvements at Dry Creek Community Park, the City wanted to take advantage of this rare opportunity of available land able to accept such a large prairie dog colony.

Any questions about this project should be directed to Jim Krick, Ecosystems Manager at the City of Longmont at jim.krick@longmontcolorado.gov.