Vail housing project could displace Gore Range bighorn sheep herd

Bighorn sheep in Vail, Colorado may lose their historic winter range due to a proposed housing development. If approved, the controversial “high density” housing complex by Vail Resorts would consist of 61 residential units on a plot of land between I-70 and the Gore Range – also known as “critical winter grazing ground” for the Gore Range bighorn sheep herd, according to HOWL for Wildlife. 

The Gore Range herd is iconic to the Vail area. Residents of the area as well as the Vail Town Council have requested that the project not go forward. Further, an assessment by Colorado Parks and Wildlife found that the corporation shouldn’t move ahead with plans as “the impacts to this already struggling sheep herd as a result of this development might not be able to be mitigated.” However, Vail Resorts says the “housing project is vital to its long-term goals.”

If you want to show your support for the Gore Range bighorn sheep herd, click here. You can send a message to Vail Resort’s executive team and let them know that you do not support a housing development that will create more habitat loss and fragmentation.