Coyotes are a highly adaptable native species found throughout Colorado. Their presence is not limited to wilderness areas but extends deep into suburban and urban environments across the Front Range. As human populations continue to expand, understanding the ecology and behavior of this wild canine becomes increasingly important for safe community living. Learning how to manage interactions with coyotes is a necessary part of residing in Colorado.
Widespread Distribution Across Colorado
Coyotes inhabit every habitat type within Colorado, demonstrating remarkable adaptability to varied terrain and elevations. They are common across the expansive Eastern Plains, where they successfully hunt in grasslands and agricultural fields. Their range extends through the Rocky Mountain foothills and into the high-elevation mountain regions, with sightings documented well above the timberline at elevations over 13,000 feet.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) recognizes the coyote as a widespread component of the state’s fauna. These canids have maintained a strong population despite decades of human development and attempts at control. Their success stems from an ability to shift their diet and denning habits to whatever resources are locally available, making them a fixture from remote canyons to bustling city parks.
The physical characteristics of coyotes may show slight regional variation, with mountain populations sometimes appearing larger and more wary than their plains counterparts. Regardless of location, they typically weigh between 20 and 40 pounds and are recognizable by their long, narrow muzzle and bushy, black-tipped tail, which is consistently carried low when they run.
Understanding Coyote Behavior in Urban Areas
Coyotes thrive in densely populated areas like Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder because urban environments provide consistent food sources and shelter. Their diet in these areas is highly opportunistic, consisting mainly of rodents, rabbits, and fruit, but also including readily available scavenged items like bird seed, pet food, and garbage. This reliable food supply often leads to higher population densities compared to rural areas.
While coyotes are naturally timid, consistent access to human-associated food can lead to a behavioral shift known as habituation. When a coyote repeatedly encounters people without any negative consequence, it begins to lose its natural fear, associating humans with a potential food source rather than a threat. This boldness is what leads to problems, as habituated coyotes may be seen during the day or enter yards and open spaces with little hesitation.
A coyote becoming comfortable around humans poses a risk, particularly to small domestic pets which they may view as competition or as prey. Signs that a coyote is too comfortable include walking down neighborhood streets during daylight hours or standing its ground when a person approaches. This loss of wariness is a learned behavior and is the primary factor driving conflict in urban settings, especially during the breeding season or when pups are born in the spring.
Practical Steps for Safe Coexistence
The most effective way to prevent conflicts is by proactively removing attractants that draw coyotes into residential areas. All outdoor food sources must be secured, which includes keeping garbage cans tightly lidded and removing pet food bowls from porches and yards immediately after use. Even seemingly minor attractants, such as fallen fruit from trees or spilled seed from bird feeders, should be diligently cleaned up.
Protecting pets requires consistent supervision, especially since over 90% of reported conflicts involve domestic animals. Small dogs and cats should never be left unattended outside, even in a fenced yard, and dogs should always be kept on a short leash when walking in open spaces or trails. CPW advises that if a pet is threatened, the owner should immediately place themselves between the pet and the coyote, picking up small pets if possible.
When a coyote approaches too closely or appears overly comfortable, residents must employ “hazing” to reinstill the animal’s natural fear of people. Hazing involves making oneself appear as large and intimidating as possible by waving arms and shouting in a loud, authoritative voice. Using tools like air horns, whistles, or throwing small objects near the animal are effective ways to create an unpleasant experience that encourages the coyote to retreat.
Hazing must be persistent, continuing until the coyote completely leaves the area; otherwise, it may learn that the human actions are not a serious threat. If a coyote displays signs of aggression, such as baring teeth, growling, or raising its hackles, residents should slowly back away while maintaining eye contact and continuing to be loud. Any coyote exhibiting dangerous or overly aggressive behavior toward people should be reported directly to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for professional assessment.