Rocky Mountain Goat Hanging Loose While Watching Its Visitors. The Visitors Are Behind The Bars

 

Boulder is virtually surrounded by Rocky Mountain Goats. From the quite nearby Denver Zoo to the top of Mt. Evans, we are surrounded by these glorious proud beasts of the mountains. Whether “walking” straight up and down walls of rock, seemingly defying the laws of gravity, or basking in the sun watching the visitors to the zoo habitat, the goats are magical. Please don’t divulge this photographer’s secret! It is about impossible to take a bad picture of Rocky Mountain Goat! That is true of so many places and animals in Colorado, from the top of Longs Peak to the Denver Zoo to the Kansas line, the Utah line, and to the edges and center of the state in all directions. The young “billies” and “kids” might hang with “Nannie,” adult females.

Here’s a shocker! The most famous Mountain Goats are NOT GOATS!!! Mountain goats are not in the same genus as goats. In the bovidae family, mountain goats are associated with antelopes, gazelles and cattle.

Remember that while we look at the goats through and over the bars and moats of the enclosure, the goats watch us through the same screening! From their POV point of view, they can hang out, get fed, and watch the show. We come to them! WE are the ones making house calls.

The goats are not just window dressing of the finest kind. They also provide a fiber resource that can put wool to shame as a fiber for spinning into yarn. Cashmere (sorry sheep) for example is the undercoat of certain goats (not these goats). As with other animals that produce spinnable  fiber, the goats are “double coated.” They have a second coat underneath the first. This undercoat is thick, fluffy, and wonderful for spinning, while the outer coat, the “guard hairs,” are cleaned from the fine fiber of the undercoat.

 

a mountain goat standing on top of a rocky hillside

Mt Evans, at 14,130′ 4,300 meters is Home To Many Mountain Goats

Boulder’s proximity to these majestic Rocky Mountain Goats is a unique and enchanting aspect of the region. These animals, with their impressive agility and serene demeanor, offer a glimpse into the wild heart of Colorado. Their ability to navigate the rugged terrain of the Rockies is a testament to the wonders of nature’s design. Visitors to the Denver Zoo and the peaks of the Rockies alike are often awestruck by these creatures’ innate grace and poise.

But the allure of the Rocky Mountain Goats extends beyond their physical prowess. These animals are an integral part of Colorado’s natural heritage, symbolizing the untamed spirit of the West. Their presence is a constant reminder of the delicate balance between urban development and wildlife conservation, a theme that resonates deeply in Boulder’s community values.

 

A Rocky Mountain Goat “Blowing It’s Coat” For The Summer. You Almost See The Downy Undercoat Spinning Itself

Moreover, the goats’ undercoat is not only valuable as a fiber resource but also reflects the diverse uses of natural resources found in Colorado. While not all goats produce fibers like cashmere, the principle of utilizing natural resources responsibly and sustainably is exemplified in the way these animals are respected and cared for.

As we observe these goats, whether in zoos or in their natural habitat, we’re reminded of the importance of coexisting with our environment. They’re a living connection to the wild, a bridge between our urban lives and the natural world. In Boulder and throughout Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Goats are more than just a tourist attraction; they are a cherished part of the landscape, a symbol of the state’s rugged beauty and its commitment to preserving nature’s wonders for future generations.

Leonard Frieling
  • Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
  • Former Judge
  • Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
  • First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
  • Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
  • Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
  • NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
  • Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
  • Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
  • Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
  • Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
  • Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
  • Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
  • LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
  • http://www.Lfrieling.com
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