parks
Federal cyanide traps return to BLM lands
By Jonathan BowersAspen Times at Summit Daily
· June 16, 2026
· 1 min read
Within Pitkin County, there are 27,490 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, according to the BLM’s Colorado River Valley Field Office.
These are acres used for recreation and ranching purposes.
Quietly, back on April 14-15, 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the U.S....
Key takeaway Quietly, back on April 14-15, 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the U.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The return of cyanide traps to BLM lands in Pitkin County has significant implications for local recreation and ranching activities. With 27,490 acres of BLM land in the county, the potential for accidental exposure to these deadly devices is a concern for residents and visitors alike. The fact that the Memorandum of Understanding was signed quietly, without public notification, raises questions about transparency and accountability. As the city of Aspen is surrounded by these BLM lands, the decision to lift the ban on M-44s may impact the local community's ability to safely enjoy outdoor activities. The Aspen ISD school district may also need to consider the risks associated with these devices when planning outdoor education programs or field trips. Local residents and stakeholders should be vigilant in monitoring the use of these devices and ensuring that the BLM and Wildlife Services are complying with existing laws and regulations.
About this story
Original reporting by Summit Daily . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Summit Daily . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 16, 2026 ·
Source: Summit Daily ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more Aspen News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering parks and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Within Pitkin County, there are 27,490 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, according to the BLM’s Colorado River Valley Field Office.
These are acres used for recreation and ranching purposes.
Quietly, back on April 14-15, 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the U.S....
When was this published? This article was first published on June 16, 2026 by Summit Daily and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jonathan BowersAspen Times at Summit Daily. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More parks →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter