This is, in fact, the fourth straight year Colorado officials have taken some of Utah's excess moose. In the past, Colorado has sent bighorn sheep to Utah as part of a trade. This year, however, Colorado just paid for the moose.

"This is a classic example of wildlife management," said Douglass. "The transplant allows us to protect habitat and deal with a public safety issue."

Moving animals from one state to another is nothing new, especially in the west. Utah has sent elk from Hardware Ranch to Kentucky, while Montana sent about 60 bighorn sheep to Utah last year.

"It's more of a need," said Douglass of the cooperation between states and even Canada. "It's not a balance thing (trading animal for animal). There is a real exchange that goes on between the states."

DeVergie said he knows of no moose dying due to the move, and, in fact, the swaps have allowed Colorado to substantially increase its moose populations.

"They've been well received in the Colorado area," said Douglass. Utahns have also been supportive of the transplants.

"It's gratifying to see how interested people are in wildlife," said Douglass. "People, especially in this valley, have strong feelings about wildlife. It's one of the neat things about living in Utah."

The moose don't just get a new home and a lot of new food sources, they also get some new fans.

"It's near a scenic byway, and it's nice to have some new watchable wildlife," said deVergie. "Our ranchers love it. All of our landowners do. People like to watch them, and they are a totally different creature from deer and elk. Everyone is very optimistic about it. It's a neat opportunity to add another species."

E-MAIL: adonaldson@desnews.com