# US wild horse population management > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-wild-horse-population-management > Updated: 2026-09-03T03:36:46.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has initiated operations to manage wild horse populations in the American West. In Northwest Colorado, the BLM conducted a drive-trap operation in the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area, using helicopters to move horses into catch pens to preserve public lands and natural resources. Following these actions, management strategies have become a subject of debate. In Oregon, federal agencies are working to assist approximately 1,200 horses facing extreme drought by transporting roughly 500 animals to offsite facilities to support rangeland recovery. In Colorado, officials have called for an “immediate freeze on upcoming roundups” following a monthlong operation in the Piceance Basin that captured nearly 900 horses and resulted in nine deaths or euthanizations. Governor Jared Polis and Representative Joe Neguse characterized the helicopter methods as “inhumane and unnecessary,” requesting that the Department of the Interior postpone further roundups in the Sand Wash Basin to allow for greater stakeholder involvement. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Wild horse management sparks debate in Oregon and Colorado Federal agencies are moving wild horses in Oregon to combat drought, while Colorado leaders call for a freeze on helicopter roundups due to animal welfare concerns. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wild-horse-management-sparks-debate-in-oregon-and-colorado ### 2026-08-20: Bureau of Land Management conducts wild horse gather in Colorado The Bureau of Land Management conducted a wild horse gather in Colorado's Piceance Basin to manage populations and protect public lands, a process mandated by the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bureau-of-land-management-conducts-wild-horse-gather-in-colorado --- Cite as: US wild horse population management. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-wild-horse-population-management