Branding remains best way to identify cattle in Colorado

Spring branding soon after birth, remains the easiest way to permanently mark animals, especially cattle, for quick visual identification and to protect ranchers from theft and loss. Tim Canterbury of Howard, immediate past president of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, said branding cattle in Colorado began in the mid-1800s as ranching became common in the West. Brands were first registered and inspected by the association in 1867. "The Colorado Cattle Association was founded because of the need for cattle inspectors and to prevent theft," Canterbury said. Brands, different for every owner, now are registered through the Colorado Department of Agriculture Brand Board primarily to deter theft. By 1885 inspection responsibilities were transferred to local counties under quasi-state regulation, he said. By 1899 brand registration and inspection of brands on cattle bought, sold, or transported were responsibilities managed under the Colorado Secretary of State. Rick Wahlert, Colorado brand commissioner, said inspectors are designated by counties to patrol brands. Their activities and duties are governed by state statute. Wahlert said inspectors are present any time there is a change of ownership, if cattle are transported more than 75 miles within the state or are taken out of Colorado. He said reports are filed when cattle go astray, missing, wander in with another herd or if theft occurs with the intention of illegal butchering. Wahlert said about 500-1,000 reports of missing cattle are received annually in Colorado. He said the Colorado Brand Board is 100 percent cash financed by the cattle industry through assessment and inspection fees...more