Greeley Water project Sept. 2025 on Roaring Creek Drainage.
The city of Greeley CO hired a backcountry contractor to construct check dams to mitigate runoff carrying sediment and ash into their municipal water system. The company hired Buckhorn Llama Company to haul 120# loads to the upper reaches of Roaring Creek for construction of the dams. 10 llamas, each carrying 6 posts, 2 miles, with an elevation gain of 1000’, made 3 round trips to place the posts and construction materials at each check dam site.
The next time you drink water in Greeley, remember to thank the llamas for their unexpected but invaluable contribution.
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GREELEY, Colo. — Nearly five years after the Cameron Peak Wildfire devastated over 200,000 acres of land, Greeley is still grappling with its aftermath.
The wildfire, which took place in 2020, impacted the watershed that feeds into local rivers and streams, one of the city’s primary drinking water sources. Even years later, the lack of vegetation in the area continues to cause dirt and sediment to flood the streams during storms, creating a costly and difficult-to-fix issue for the city’s water supply.
Matt Sparacino, the water resource planning and watershed program manager for Greeley, said there are ongoing challenges.
“If you have really steep areas, it transports fine sediment into the streams, which ultimately end up in our water intake,” he said. “It’s really hard for us to treat, and it gets really expensive to treat.”
But Greeley found an unexpected solution to this lingering issue: llamas.
The city turned to the Buckhorn Llama Company in Loveland, a business known for its expertise in navigating the backcountry.
The idea? Using llamas to transport materials needed for a key project aimed at preventing more sediment from reaching the water supply.
The city’s water and sewer department noticed beaver dams help mitigate the issue, so they worked on recreating their own barriers along the water. But there was a catch — the wood and materials for these dams needed to be transported over a rugged, two-mile trail. That’s where the llamas came in.
Llamas assist with Greeley water project
Greeley Water & Sewer Department
Stan Ebel, one of the owners of the Buckhorn Llama Company, explained that llamas are perfect for navigating the backcountry area.
“They’re strong,” Ebel said. “Our motto is ‘trust the llama.’ You come to a situation you’re unsure of, let the llama take a look at it. He’ll basically get you through it.”
This fall, the llamas worked hard, transporting 126 posts and other materials through the terrain. Not only did they prove to be reliable, but they also offered a more affordable and efficient alternative. Greeley estimates that using llamas cost about half the price of a helicopter.
“They’re cheaper than a helicopter and more nimble than a horse,” Sparacino added.
“The llamas helped us do a project that was really valuable,” Sparacino said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to do the project.”
So, the next time you drink water in Greeley, remember to thank the llamas for their unexpected but invaluable contribution.
