The
Brand Inspection Division has a long history in Colorado beginning
around 1865 in what was then the Colorado Territory. Today, the division
administers more than 37,000 livestock brands to identify ownership
of cattle, sheep, mules, burros, horses, elk and fallow deer. Brand
inspection is crucial to verify ownership in cases of strayed or stolen
livestock, and animal health programs are strengthened by the ability
to trace animals to their herd of origin.
The
division is administered by the State Board of Stock Inspection comprised
of five members, appointed by the Governor, representing all segments
of the industry. The members of the board during the 1999 –2000 period
are Mr. Dick Tanner of Yoder, Mr. Dean Davis of Lindon, Mr. Lee Spann
of Gunnison, Ms. Linda Ingo of Ridgway, and Mr. Roger Hickert of Akron.
The
division employs 65 brand inspectors located throughout the state,
eight brand foremans, and nine administrative personnel, including
Brand Commissioner J. G. Shoun. The annual budget for the division
exceeds $3 million and is completely funded by the fees levied to
livestock owners and brand assessment fees levied every five years.
The
division is assigned five principal regulatory responsibilities:
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To
record and administer livestock brands.
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To
inspect livestock and verify ownership before sale, transportation
out of Colorado, transportation beyond 75 miles in Colorado,
or slaughter.
-
Inspect
and license packing plants, livestock sale rings and inspect
all consignments before sale to verify ownership.
-
License
and inspect alternative livestock (elk and fallow deer) facilities.
-
Prevent
and return strayed or stolen livestock and investigate reports
of lost or stolen livestock.
In
addition, brand inspectors collect beef promotion, research funds
and promotion fees for the Colorado Horse Development Authority. The
division is also the trustee for all surety bonds issued to licensed
markets and packinghouses doing business in Colorado.
Annually,
the division personnel travel in excess of 1.4 million miles and inspect
approximately 5.1 million head of livestock. In addition, they identify
ownership of lost, stolen, or strayed and questionably owned livestock
valued at over $17 million. The division conducts 60,000 horse inspections
and issues permanent horse travel permits.
The
brand division has concentrated on educational programs in the past
few years. The focus of the educational program is on teaching brand
law and theft prevention to the public and law enforcement agencies.
Several classes are given each year, all in different areas of Colorado.
