parks
Federal cyanide traps return to BLM lands, including Pitkin County
By Jonathan Bowers Follow
JBowers@aspentimes.com at Glenwood Springs Post Independent
· 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 raises concerns for local residents and recreationists who frequent these areas. With 27,490 acres of BLM land in the county used for recreation and ranching, the potential for accidental exposure to these deadly devices is a significant worry. The fact that the Memorandum of Understanding was signed quietly, without public notification, adds to the concern that the public may not be adequately informed about the risks associated with M-44s. As the city of Aspen is surrounded by these BLM lands, local authorities and residents must be vigilant in monitoring the use of these devices and ensuring that the necessary precautions are taken to protect both humans and wildlife. The lack of transparency in the MOU's release also underscores the need for local advocacy groups to remain active in pushing for public disclosure and safety measures.
About this story
Original reporting by Glenwood Springs Post Independent . 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 Glenwood Springs Post Independent . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 16, 2026 ·
Source: Glenwood Springs Post Independent ·
Reading time: 1 min
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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 Glenwood Springs Post Independent and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jonathan Bowers Follow
JBowers@aspentimes.com at Glenwood Springs Post Independent. 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 .
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