Once nearly wiped from the plains, bison are making a comeback as a symbol of ecological and cultural renewal. The Colorado Buffalo Collective is leading efforts across the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) and Boulder County to restore bison to their ancestral landscapes, blending scientific research with Indigenous knowledge.

At the recent Bison Mixer on December 8, 2025 at the CU Boulder campus, students met with team members including Dr. Katie Suding and James Rattling Leaf, Sr., director of the Collective, to explore how buffalo restoration can heal both ecosystems and relationships with the land. Discussions highlighted the importance of keystone species restoration, diverse perspectives in land management, and new research opportunities for students interested in eco-cultural resilience. 

By bringing together scientists, students, and Tribal partners, the Colorado Buffalo Collective is showing how collaboration can restore a species. And, as James Rattling Leaf, Sr. states, “Bison restoration in Colorado is more than conservation; it is a return to right relationship. Guided by Tribal philosophy and the teachings of the buffalo, we restore balance with the land, strengthen our connections to one another, and honor our responsibility to future generations."