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Prairie dog colonies can have a large impact on plant species composition and rangeland production through direct consumption and by clipping vegetation to increase predator detection. Vegetation within prairie dog towns is characterized by a reduction of mid-grass species, an increase in perennial shortgrass, an increase in annual forbs, and an increase in bare ground. Often identified as a keystone species of importance for conservation, prairie dog colonies are frequently seen as limiting to cattle production and control measures are often used to prevent colony expansion or eliminate colonies entirely. While many studies have looked at the impacts of prairie dog towns on plant communities, research is lacking on the rate of restoration of colonies following a control event. An assessment and monitoring program was established in western South Dakota on a mixed-grass prairie following the control of a prairie dog town. The Prairie dog town was controlled in the fall/winter of 2008/2009. Monitoring of biomass; species richness; western wheatgrass, bare ground, and vegetation cover; species frequency of prairie rose and big bluestem; and prairie rose density occurred in two year intervals from 2009 to 2015. Following control, overall grass species cover and biomass increased and bare ground cover decreased as did species richness. Restoration of prairie dog colonies occurred rather quickly, which can aid decisions about recovery time and grazing management strategies.