Little Book Cliffs wild horse advocate group weighs in on Colorado wild horse controversy and New York Times article
Friends of the Mustangs say helicopters can safely manage Little Book Cliffs herds as concerns grow over wild horse roundups in Colorado and BLM oversight
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - When Spanish settlers came to the Americas, they brought horses with them.
Hundreds of years later, the descendants of those horses still roam wild across Colorado’s ranges.
Through thousands of acres of desert and rugged mountain cliffs surrounding northeast Grand Junction, the Wild West remains alive through mustangs.
“We probably have between 120 and 130 horses,” said Judy Lee Cady, a longtime member of Friends of the Mustangs, which is an advocate group for the little book Cliff horses. “And that’s a lot to maintain. Plus, almost 40,000 acres now.”
Since the 1980’s, Cady and others have worked to maintain the wellbeing of the little Book Cliff Horses. They routinely repair fencing, build wells for the horses and help adopt out the mustangs that are rounded up during gathers– which Cady said typically occurs every four or five years when the herd grows too large.
Those gathers have been conducted by helicopters– a practice that’s recently come under fire by some state politicians.
On Sept. 3, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse and Gov. Jared Polis called for the immediately halt of helicopter roundups in the state after nine horses died during roundups in northwestern Colorado.
On Facebook, Neguse posted a video condemning the helicopter roundups. In the video, Neguse called the practice “inhumane” and “unconscionable.”
But Cady said she believes that stance is misguided.
“Helicopters are the safest way to do it,” Cady said. “You can’t just do it on horseback. You’ll kill the domestic horses.”
Cady said that during the 30 years their late pilot, Allen, conducted helicopter roundups that not a single horse was hurt— and said very few incidents of horse injuries have happened since.
Cady continued, “It’s not the helicopters, it’s the guy driving it. If he cares about the horses, he’ll take care of the horses.”
“I think Governor Polis listens to the radical groups, which they’ve never helped me on the range,” Cady said.
BLM handling of wild horses.
Cady also said Friends of the Mustang’s relationship with the BLM has also grown contentious in recent years.
While Cady said they’ve maintained good relationships with local BLM leaders, the agency is no longer allowing the group to assist in roundups.
She also said the adoption process for Mustangs has become significantly more drawn out.
“One thing about our gathers was that they were low cost. We gathered during the week, we processed right here and we adopted them out. And that was it,” Cady said.
Where are the mustangs going?
The BLM has long maintained that they do not sell Mustangs to slaughterhouses.
But a recent New York Times investigation found that wild horse roundups nationwide had doubled in 2025. Some of those horses were being sold for less than $100 and purchased by buyers who would transport the mustangs into Canada or Mexico. There, the mustangs would be resold to slaughterhouses for significantly more money than they were bought for from the BLM.
These findings have created mounting concern about the BLM’s oversight on where the Mustangs end up.
“I’ve had discussions with the BLM that I don’t want them taking off with more horses than I can find homes for,” Cady said. “And sometimes I get my way, sometimes I don’t.”
Helping the little book cliff horses
Aside from roundups, Cady said she believes birth control is still the best way to manage wild horse populations.
But with many of the organization’s members aging— and only one person currently able to dart horses— Cady hopes more people will get involved.
Anyone interested in learning more about Friends of the Mustangs, potentially becoming a member or looking to donate can head to their website here.