Meeting the Needs of Sheepherders in a Season of Uncertainty on Colorado’s Western Slope

The sheepherders tending flocks across the rugged terrain of Colorado’s Western Slope already work under some of the harshest labor conditions in the state. Long hours, low pay, geographic isolation, and limited communication make it difficult to access even the most basic resources. Now, with wildfires burning in several parts of the region, the dangers are amplified. Thick smoke reduces visibility, extreme heat increases the risk of dehydration, and evacuation routes can be uncertain or inaccessible for those deep in the backcountry. In this challenging environment, knowing your rights and having essential supplies is not just important, it is critical to survival.

Through a recent Community-Initiated project funded by the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS), the Project Protect Promotora Network (PPPN) completed in-person outreach to dozens of sheepherders in remote parts of the Western Slope. Led by Promotor Ignacio Alvarado, who has decades of firsthand experience as a sheepherder, the team navigated rugged terrain, poor cell service, and long distances between camps to deliver critical support. Sheepherders received resources to protect themselves against the intense heat of the summer and prepare for Colorado’s harsh winters.

These sheepherders are far from the public eye, yet their labor is a quiet constant in our food system. While many of us see lamb in a grocery store or wool in a clothing label, few think about the individual who spent months in the mountains to make it possible. They endure extreme conditions without the safety nets most people take for granted. By standing with Project Protect, you have a chance to reach across that distance, recognizing the humanity of those whose work sustains us all.

During these visits, Ignacio and Angeles distributed gear to protect against harsh weather and delivered educational materials in Spanish explaining key labor rights for range workers under Colorado law. The flyer covered topics such as the weekly minimum wage for open-range work, the right to drinking water and shade when temperatures reach 80 degrees, emergency safety requirements including access to a phone or satellite device, and the prompt delivery of personal communications. These resources equip workers to protect themselves from heat-related illness, advocate for safe working conditions, and stay connected with family. This knowledge is especially important during wildfire season, when hazards and emergencies can escalate with little warning.

The outreach also included confidential, paper-based surveys administered by Angeles Mendez to better understand the health and safety needs of sheepherders. Sadly, the desire for connections with family, friends, and the outside world was the most commonly expressed need by sheepherders. The information gathered will help shape future advocacy and inform state agencies and community partners about the realities of range work during times of crisis. By combining immediate assistance with long-term advocacy, Project Protect is ensuring that sheepherders, often overlooked in public discussions, have the information, equipment, and support needed to stay safe, healthy, and connected in an increasingly challenging environment.

Each conversation on the range was more than an interview. It was a moment of connection, a rare opportunity for a worker to be heard and to know that someone cares about their safety and dignity. These moments build trust, and that trust allows us to keep showing up with resources that truly make a difference. Every act of support from the public fuels this work, ensuring that these vital members of our agricultural community are never left to face danger alone.

If you have questions about this project or want to support our work with sheepherders, please contact Hunter Knapp at hunter@projectprotectfoodsystems.org.