Seeing a moose in the Yampa Valley is no longer a rare occurrence as the population of the large, long-legged animals in Routt County has increased an estimated sevenfold over the past 20 years.
Colorado Parks & Wildlife Terrestrial Biologist Eric Vannatta estimates the moose population in Routt County has grown from some 50 animals two decades ago to 350 now.
The local population of Shiras moose is healthy and continues to expand, as the animals travel and disperse into parts of the valley that provide good habitat, Vannatta said.
CPW officials consider the high number of moose a great sign for Northwest Colorado because it represents a successful reintroduction story.
The moose in Routt County include generations of animals that gradually migrated south from the North Park area near Walden. According to CPW, Colorado wildlife managers transplanted 24 moose from Utah and Wyoming in 1978 and 1979 to North Park.
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