Gophers are subterranean rodents found throughout Colorado, impacting gardens, agricultural fields, and natural areas. They create extensive tunnel systems underground.
Gopher Species Found in Colorado
Colorado is home to four primary species of pocket gophers. The Plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) is abundant in the sandy and silty soils of the eastern plains, typically having light to dark brown fur and prominent incisors.
The Northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) is the most widespread species, found from the eastern plains to mountainous regions and even alpine tundra. It generally has dark fur with a whitish chin and belly, and is smaller than the Plains pocket gopher. Botta’s pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) primarily occupies warm valleys in southern Colorado, often exhibiting reddish-brown fur with a blackish chin. The Yellow-faced pocket gopher (Pappogeomys castanops) inhabits parts of southeastern Colorado, often in drier sites.
Identifying Gopher Presence
Gopher activity is usually identified by specific surface signs. The most common indicator is crescent-shaped or fan-shaped soil mounds. These mounds are created as gophers push excavated dirt from their tunnels to the surface, typically having a plugged entrance unlike the open holes of other burrowing animals. Gopher mounds can range from 12 to 18 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches high.
Beyond mounds, damaged or wilting plants with chewed roots suggest gopher presence. Gophers feed on roots and can pull entire plants into their tunnels. Their burrow systems consist of a main tunnel, typically 4 to 18 inches below the surface, with lateral burrows ending at the surface mounds. Moles create volcano-shaped mounds without visible holes or raised ridges, which helps distinguish their activity from gophers.
Managing Gophers in Colorado Landscapes
Managing gophers in Colorado involves several strategies to mitigate their impact. Exclusion methods can protect specific areas, such as burying hardware cloth or wire mesh around gardens or vulnerable plants. This physical barrier should extend at least 18 inches deep to prevent gophers from tunneling underneath.
Habitat modification can also reduce gopher appeal by removing dense ground cover and adjusting landscaping to make areas less favorable for tunneling. Selecting gopher-resistant plants, less palatable to these rodents, can also deter them. Some natural deterrents, like castor oil-based repellents, can be applied to lawns, as gophers dislike their smell and taste. These approaches minimize gopher activity on a property.