Environmentalists Never Die

Howard Caudle was an early environmentalist and animal rights activist. He worked with the local Human Society. He also served as the vice-president of the more militant International Defenders of Animals.

His greatest legacy you can see today is the Little Bookcliff herd of wild horses north of Debeque.

He was active with the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros, serving on the board of directors.

In the book; “Wild Horse Annie: Velma Johnson and her fight to save the mustang,” by Alan J. Kania. Caudle is recognized: “In Grand Junction, Caudle’s vigilance probably prevented the herd from being totally harvested.” The year after Caudle’s death, Velma Johnson was in Grand Junction organizing, and credited Howard for making her aware of the existence of the Little Bookcliff herd.

Caudle was outspoken and unafraid to take unpopular opinions. Often writing letters to the editor defending our four-legged friends and wild lands. He took out large ads in the Daily Sentinel opposing rodeos on grounds of animal cruelty. Surely an unpopular opinion, in early 1960’s Mesa county.

Just weeks before his death in 1973, he wrote one last letter to the editor, titled “Environmentalist Never Die.”

“We just retire from the daily grind, buy ourselves a typewriter, roll up our sleeves, express more concern and interest in our land, water, forest, and wildlife, and stand ready to battle against the greed and destruction which leave a desolation in our land.”

The Daily Sentinel remembered him as one of the Western Slope’s “most concerned citizens,” and added “The Sentinel didn’t always agree with Mr. Caudle’s position, but….we believe his letters were the yeast that causes a public ferment resulting in a better community.”

We, and the Little Bookcliff wild horses, thank Howard Caudle for his service.