Coexisting with Coyotes 

Coyotes are becoming, and in some cases already are, a problem in Highlands Ranch and the entire Denver Metro Area. Coyotes are a highly adaptable animal and have adapted extremely well to living around people in urban areas. We all need to learn to live with coyotes; but that does not mean that we need to let the coyotes run our lives. We must direct their behavior by re-educating coyotes to be afraid of people. The HRCA is working with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to help educate our homeowners on how to coexist with coyotes. For questions on coexisting with coyotes, please call or e-mail Mark Giebel at 303-471-8885 or mgiebel@hrcaonline.org.

When coyotes are causing problems or concerns around your home, you should contact the Highlands Ranch Metro District Open Space department. The Metro District manages the wildlife and the open spaces, parks, and trails, within the developed areas of Highlands Ranch and have park rangers that can respond to coyote complaints. The park rangers can be reached at 303-791-2710.

Coyotes living in urban areas have become a cause for concern with residents of some Front Range communities. “Being Coyote Wise” explains the basic nature of these native wild dogs and teaches residents how they can help reduce unacceptable behavior from coyotes in their neighborhoods.

Highlands Ranch is coyote country. No matter where you live in Highlands Ranch, coyotes are present. They are a highly adaptable animal and humans inadvertently provide them habitat and food sources. Normally coyotes feed on animals such as rodents, rabbits, and other small prey animals. However, they are opportunistic and will attack a cat or small dog. We all need to take precautions to protect our pets, guard against human/coyote encounters, and keep the coyotes wild.

“The biggest problems occur when people feed coyotes – either deliberately or inadvertently,” said Crystal Peterson of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Once a coyote gets food from or around humans, it associates humans with food and ignores its wild instincts to stay away from and fear humans. Trash, dog food, bird feeders, and compost piles are all potential food sources for coyotes.

Your Pets and Coyotes
Coyote Brochure
Active Coyote Area
Coyote Exclusions, Deterrents and Repellents
Coyote Home Audit Checklist
FAQ about Urban Coyotes
Nuisance Wildlife Laws

For further information on living with coyotes, go to:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/
http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/Videos/Pages/BeingCoyoteWisevideo.aspx