Colorado ranchers are scrambling for answers after 15 cows mysteriously dropped dead on their property, with authorities unable to determine the cause despite extensive testing.
Key Takeaways
- Fremont County ranchers lost 15 cows in a single day in May 2025, suffering estimated financial losses between $50,000-$70,000.
- Initial suspicions of sulfate poisoning from a nearby oil pad were dismissed after laboratory tests came back negative.
- Colorado State University veterinarians found no significant lesions in tissue samples, leaving the cause of death undetermined.
- The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission deployed drones and optical gas imagery cameras to investigate potential gas leaks from a nearby oil pad.
- Only cattle in a specific pasture were affected, suggesting an environmental cause limited to that location.
Devastating Discovery on Colorado Ranch
A Colorado ranching family is reeling after the sudden and unexplained deaths of 15 cattle on their leased property in Fremont County. Kerri Higgs and her husband first discovered three deceased animals on May 8, 2025, with the death toll quickly climbing throughout the day. Most of the victims were first-time heifers, though a steer and a yearling were also among the casualties. The mysterious deaths have left the ranchers facing not only emotional distress but also significant financial hardship, with losses estimated between $50,000 and $70,000, not including future income from calves that would have been born to the deceased cows.
The situation became increasingly dire as more animals began showing signs of distress. While some cows died naturally, others were in such severe condition that they required euthanasia to end their suffering. The pattern of deaths was particularly puzzling because cattle in a different pasture remained completely unaffected, suggesting that whatever caused the deaths was specific to the environmental conditions in the leased land where the incidents occurred.
Investigating Multiple Theories
Initial suspicions centered on noxious weeds as a potential culprit, but the rapid succession of deaths suggested a more acute cause. A local veterinarian first pointed to possible sulfate poisoning from a nearby oil well. Higgs noted the strong odor coming from the oil pad near their property, raising concerns about potential gas leaks or other contaminants. “Because of smell. The smell of the oil pad was really bad,” Higgs reported, highlighting the suspicious timing between the noticeable odor and the cattle deaths.
“I don’t know what else it could be honestly,” said Higgs, rancher in Fremont County.
Seeking clarity, Higgs contacted the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), which responded by deploying sophisticated technology to investigate. The agency used optical gas imagery cameras and drones to survey the area for potential gas leaks or other environmental hazards. While results from this investigation are still pending processing, they could provide crucial insights into whether industrial activity nearby played a role in the cattle deaths.
Scientific Dead Ends
The investigation has hit several frustrating roadblocks. After initial tests suggested sulfate poisoning, Higgs sought a second opinion and sent samples to Colorado State University (CSU) for more thorough analysis. However, CSU veterinarians found no significant lesions in the tested tissues, leaving the cause of death uncertain. The negative results for sulfate poisoning further complicated the investigation, eliminating what had seemed like the most plausible explanation for the sudden deaths.
Despite the setbacks, the ranching family remains determined to find answers. They are pursuing further testing, including comprehensive necropsies, to determine what killed their animals. The situation has garnered community support, with the family establishing a GoFundMe page to help offset their substantial financial losses while they continue their search for explanations. The case highlights the vulnerability of America’s agricultural producers to unexplained environmental hazards and the critical importance of thorough investigation when livestock deaths occur.
