Colorado Moose Long-Standing Presence Challenged by New Interdisciplinary Study

A team of archaeologists, paleontologists, paleoecologists, archivists, and tribal cultural-heritage leaders published a study in *Journal of Biogeography* that overturns the long-held view that moose are recent, non-native arrivals in Colorado. By combing newspaper archives, museum collections, archaeological site reports, and Indigenous oral histories, the researchers documented continuous evidence of moose from the early Holocene to the modern era. Bones from the Jurgens site near Greeley date back roughly 9,000 years, while remains near Mesa Verde National Park are about 1,000 years old. Newspaper accounts between 1860 and 1970 record more than 30 sightings, many describing groups of cows, bulls and calves, indicating a breeding population rather than occasional wanderers.

NMSU contributes to study showing moose have deep roots in Southern Rockies

The study was led by William Taylor, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Colorado-Boulder and curator of archaeology at the CU Museum of Natural History. Co-authors include John Wendt, assistant professor of rangeland ecology and paleoecology at New Mexico State University; Jonathan Dombrosky of the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center; Crystal C’Bearing, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Northern Arapaho Tribe; Joshua Miller of the University of Cincinnati; and scholars from the University of Alabama, University of Utah, History Colorado, University of New Mexico, and University of Cincinnati.

NMSU contributes to study showing moose have deep roots in Southern RockiesEarth.comDaily Camera

• Archaeological specimens: Moose bones from Jurgens (?9 kyr) and Mesa Verde (?1 kyr).

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• Historical press: >30 published Colorado newspaper sightings (1860-1970), frequently noting multiple individuals and juvenile presence.

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• Indigenous records: Northern Arapaho language terms “hinenihii” (“big man”) and “see’iini3eet” (referring to the animal’s flat nose); material culture, songs, and regalia incorporating moose; oral histories from the Jicarilla Apache of northern New Mexico.

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• Geographic range: Evidence spans northern Colorado to northern New Mexico, suggesting a long-standing southern Rocky Mountain distribution.

NMSU contributes to study showing moose have deep roots in Southern Rockies

Labeling moose as non-native has guided Rocky Mountain National Park’s recent consideration of fencing, predator introduction, and culling to mitigate browsing damage on willow and beaver habitats. Study co-author John Wendt argues that high ecological impacts do not automatically indicate an animal is out of place; instead, they may reveal shortcomings in current management frameworks. Tribal representatives, notably Crystal C’Bearing, advocate for co-management that restores traditional hunting and cultural uses while informing modern wildlife decisions.

NMSU contributes to study showing moose have deep roots in Southern Rockies

William Taylor emphasized that the archaeological record reshapes management choices, noting that “people’s understanding of the archaeological record is shaping the choices that we’re making around managing animals today.” John Wendt warned that treating moose as invasive could justify inappropriate interventions. Crystal C’Bearing highlighted the historical role of tribal peoples in ecosystem stewardship and urged inclusion of tribal expertise in park management. Jonathan Dombrosky underscored the broader lesson that historical sciences can guide future ecosystem stewardship.

NMSU contributes to study showing moose have deep roots in Southern Rockies

For much of the 20th century, Colorado wildlife agencies and biologists described moose as a 1970s reintroduction, a view reinforced by the “shifting baseline” phenomenon where fading collective memory recasts a returning native as an invader. This narrative has underpinned current control measures.

NMSU contributes to study showing moose have deep roots in Southern Rockies

While the multidisciplinary evidence strongly supports a native status, precise historic population sizes, migration corridors, and the extent of pre-colonial ecological impacts remain incompletely documented, prompting calls for further paleo-ecological and genetic studies.

NMSU contributes to study showing moose have deep roots in Southern Rockies

• “What we found is that we can prove without a shadow of a doubt that moose have been established in Colorado since there is a historic record,” — William Taylor, anthropology professor, CU Museum of Natural History

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• “We wanted to see whether the story that was out there was lining up with the facts, because it’s clear to me that people’s understanding of the archeological record is shaping the choices that we’re making around managing animals today,” — William Taylor

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• “ “Tribal people were part of the natural ecosystem in terms of hunting and wildlife management.” — Crystal C’Bearing, Northern Arapaho Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

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• “It would be beneficial not only to the Tribes to utilize the moose again for cultural practices, but to assist in the co-management of moose in Colorado and the Southern Rockies.” — Crystal C’Bearing

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• “Rocky Mountain National Park is dealing with ecological impacts from moose, but treating moose as a non-native species changes which management responses seem justified,” — John Wendt, NMSU

NMSU contributes to study showing moose have deep roots in Southern Rockies

The authors recommend formal partnerships with the Northern Arapaho and other tribes to develop co-management plans, alongside expanded paleo-ecological research to fill remaining knowledge gaps. Revising the native-non-native classification could reshape policy, shifting focus from removal toward ecosystem-based stewardship.

NMSU contributes to study showing moose have deep roots in Southern Rockies