Colorado Volunteers Work To Conserve Prairie Dog Colony

In Longmont, Colorado, neighbors in the Harvest Junction Village community have rallied to protect a prairie dog colony from extermination. After months of advocacy, volunteer work, and public pressure, the homeowner association (HOA) board agreed to consider alternatives—either relocation or a long-term conservation plan. Initially, the HOA had planned to exterminate the colony by March 1 due to concerns about property damage. However, residents pushed back, arguing relocation wasn’t viable until summer and extermination was unnecessary.

Volunteers spent Memorial Day removing invasive weeds and building habitat structures to demonstrate a sustainable coexistence approach. They’ve raised over $8,000 through Grasslands Colorado to fund reseeding native vegetation and constructing fencing to contain the colony. With support from three HOA board members, residents will present a conservation plan in June, with a final decision expected by July. Advocates hope their efforts serve as a model for wildlife-friendly urban planning across Colorado’s Front Range.