The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) has announced the end of the Wild Horse Inmate Program (WHIP), a highly regarded collaborative effort with the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that offered rehabilitation opportunities to inmates through the care and management of wild horses and burros. This initiative, spanning over three decades, is set to tentatively conclude by the end of November, with the BLM electing not to renew its longstanding contract and only extending the current agreement for an additional 60 days as of September 30, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections.
This development comes as a disappointment to many, particularly within the CDOC. "We are saddened by the discontinuation of this successful partnership and impactful program," said Andre Stancil, Executive Director of CDOC, as per the Colorado Department of Corrections. Despite this setback, the CDOC is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition and is exploring new avenues that support its core missions of rehabilitation and public safety.
In the wake of the program's cessation, efforts are underway to relocate approximately 100 Colorado wild horses currently under the care of WHIP. The BLM is tasked with overseeing the process, ensuring these animals find secure and caring homes in collaboration with local organizations such as the Friends of the Mustangs. George Brauneis, President of the said group, commented on the ongoing commitment to the welfare of the wild horses, expressing excitement over the partnership's potential to create a benchmark for wild horse programs nationwide.
