Preble's mouse still endangered in Colorado, not Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will keep the Preble's meadow jumping mouse on the endangered species list in Colorado but not in Wyoming.

Environmentalists including the Center for Native Ecosystems reacted to the government's announcement today by saying they're preparing a lawsuit to restore the mouse's endangered status in Wyoming.

They say the Fish and Wildlife Service isn't supposed to make endangered species decisions based on political boundaries like state lines.

The Preble's mouse has been on the endangered species list since 1998.

The Fish and Wildlife Service says new populations of Preble's mice have been confirmed in Wyoming and most of those mice aren't at risk from development.

Fish and Wildlife says Preble's mouse populations in Colorado remain at risk because of home construction and other types of development.