Colorado ranchers face tough season: drought, wildfires and wolves

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4min 27sec
A man gestures toward a small herd of cows while holding a bucket.
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Colorado Cattlemen’s Association President Curt Russell on his summer rangeland near Karval, on Aug. 13, 2025.

A wide shot of a small herd of cows on Colorado’s Eastern Plains
Dan Boyce/CPR News

A man in a red plaid button-up shirt leans against a gate in the eastern Colorado plains.
Dan Boyce/CPR News

A rusted sign reading “6/7” is nailed to a fencepost.
Dan Boyce/CPR News

A small herd of brown and black cows stand in a green field.
Dan Boyce/CPR News