Colorado ranchers face devastating financial loss and mounting questions as 15 cattle mysteriously drop dead on their property, with initial tests ruling out the suspected sulfate poisoning.
Key Takeaways
- Kerri Higgs and her husband discovered 15 of their cattle dead over a short period in May 2025, with most being first-time heifers.
- Initial veterinary tests suggested sulfate poisoning from a nearby oil well, but subsequent lab results ruled this out, deepening the mystery.
- The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) is investigating potential gas leaks from a nearby oil pad that had a strong odor.
- The family faces a financial loss between $50,000-$70,000, not including future losses from orphaned calves.
- Only cattle in one specific pasture were affected, suggesting an environmental cause limited to that area.
Sudden Cattle Deaths Leave Ranchers Searching for Answers
A Fremont County ranching family is desperately seeking answers after the sudden and mysterious deaths of 15 cattle on their Colorado property. The incident began in early May 2025 when Kerri Higgs and her husband discovered three dead cows, with the death toll quickly rising. Most of the deceased were first-time heifers, along with a steer and a yearling. The rapid succession of deaths immediately ruled out natural causes, prompting an urgent investigation into what could have decimated a significant portion of their herd so quickly. The cattle that were not found dead were suffering so severely that they required euthanasia, adding to the family’s distress.
What makes this case particularly baffling is that only cattle in one specific pasture were affected, while others on different parts of the property remained completely healthy. This strongly suggests an environmental cause limited to the leased land where the deaths occurred. The ranchers initially suspected toxic weeds might be responsible, but the rapid nature of the deaths pointed to something more immediately lethal. With each passing day without answers, the ranchers grow more concerned about the safety of their remaining herd and the potential for future incidents.
Suspected Causes and Ongoing Investigations
After the initial deaths, a local veterinarian suspected sulfate poisoning possibly connected to a nearby oil well. Samples were sent for testing, but the results came back negative, eliminating that theory. Seeking more answers, Higgs sent additional samples to Colorado State University (CSU) for a second opinion. The university’s veterinary lab found no significant lesions in the tested tissues, further deepening the mystery surrounding the deaths. With two professional evaluations providing no definitive cause, the investigation has expanded to examine other potential environmental factors.
“I don’t know what else it could be honestly,” said Higgs.
The strong odor emanating from a nearby oil pad has become a focal point of the investigation. Higgs contacted the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) to investigate this potential connection. The commission deployed advanced technology, including optical gas imagery cameras and drones, to detect any gas presence in the area that might explain the deaths. Results from this inspection are expected within days, and they could provide crucial information about whether airborne toxins might have contributed to this agricultural tragedy.
Financial Impact and Future Concerns
The sudden loss of 15 cattle represents a devastating financial blow to the Higgs family. The estimated financial damage ranges between $50,000 to $70,000, not including the long-term losses from the calves now left orphaned. Many of the deceased cows were first-time heifers, representing not just current assets but future breeding potential for the ranch. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help offset some of these substantial losses while they continue searching for answers to prevent future occurrences.
“Because of smell. The smell of the oil pad was really bad,” explained Higgs when discussing why she contacted energy regulators.
Despite this significant setback, the Higgs family remains committed to their ranching lifestyle and finding the truth behind these mysterious deaths. They are pursuing every available avenue of investigation, including requesting comprehensive necropsies to uncover the cause. The situation highlights the precarious nature of agricultural livelihoods, where unexpected events can threaten generations of work and investment. For small family operations like the Higgs ranch, such losses can be particularly devastating without the financial cushion that larger corporate farming operations might have.
