Colorado, defined by its shift from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains and high desert basins, is home to a diverse predator population. These carnivores play a role in maintaining ecological balance. Understanding the distribution and habits of these species is important for conservation efforts and for safely navigating the state’s varied habitats. The presence of these hunters reflects the health of the ecological community. The following sections explore the specific species that inhabit Colorado’s mountains, foothills, and urban peripheries.
Large Mammal Predators of Colorado
The mountains and foothills of Colorado are the primary domain for the state’s largest mammalian carnivores, each occupying a distinct ecological niche. The mountain lion (Puma concolor), often known as a cougar or puma, is the largest cat in Colorado and is an obligate carnivore. These solitary hunters are most abundant in the foothills, canyons, and mesa country where brush and rocky terrain provide cover for their stealthy hunting style. Their diet is overwhelmingly composed of deer, which they typically kill by ambush rather than a long chase.
Colorado black bears (Ursus americanus) are the largest carnivores remaining in the state, despite the fact that their coloration can range from black to cinnamon or blonde. They are omnivores, with their diet consisting of over 90% grasses, berries, nuts, and other vegetation, supplemented by insects and small mammals. Black bears are widely distributed across nearly all forested areas, often concentrating in locations rich with Gambel’s oak, aspen, serviceberry, and chokecherry bushes before winter hibernation. The gray wolf (Canis lupus) has recently returned to the state’s Western Slope, following a reintroduction program initiated in late 2023. This species is a highly social pack hunter whose diet primarily consists of large ungulates like elk and deer.
Mid-Sized and Urban-Adapted Carnivores
Moving toward lower elevations and the urban-wildland interface, a group of smaller, highly adaptable carnivores has learned to coexist closely with human development. The coyote (Canis latrans) is perhaps the most successful of these, inhabiting nearly every ecosystem in Colorado, including dense metropolitan areas along the Front Range. Their success stems from an opportunistic omnivorous diet that includes rodents, rabbits, fruit, and an ability to scavenge on human-generated food waste like garbage and pet food. Research in the Denver area indicates that even urban coyotes rely predominantly on natural prey like rodents and lagomorphs.
The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a smaller, crepuscular feline found statewide, preferring rocky outcrops, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and montane forests that offer sufficient cover. This wildcat is a skilled hunter whose staple prey is rabbits and hares, though its diet is flexible and includes rodents, birds, and insects. Colorado is also home to several fox species, including the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), which is an opportunistic omnivore thriving in agricultural and riparian areas, and the swift fox (Vulpes velox), a small canid native to the eastern plains grasslands. The smaller kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) is listed as endangered in Colorado, facing threats from habitat loss on the high desert plains.
Birds of Prey and Aerial Hunters
Colorado’s skies are patrolled by an array of raptors, which are hunters specializing in aerial pursuit and keen long-distance vision. The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a powerful hunter of open country, including tundra, grasslands, and alpine areas, and is known for its high-speed dives to capture prey. Their diet primarily consists of medium-sized mammals such as jackrabbits, prairie dogs, and marmots, though they will occasionally take larger animals like young deer.
The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is another large raptor, typically found near major waterways, reservoirs, and lakes where fish are readily available. While their preferred food is fish, they are highly opportunistic foragers and will consume water birds, small mammals, and carrion, especially during the winter months. Common hawks, such as the widespread Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), are often seen perched on utility poles or soaring over open fields, hunting small mammals like voles and mice. Additionally, nocturnal hunters like the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) occupy forested and open habitats across the state, using silent flight to surprise a wide variety of prey, including rabbits, rodents, and other birds.
Safety Guidelines for Wildlife Encounters
Coexisting with Colorado’s predator species requires a proactive approach to prevent human-wildlife conflicts by securing attractants and following specific encounter protocols. The most effective way to avoid conflicts with bears and coyotes is by securing all potential food sources, including locking up trash, removing bird feeders, and keeping pet food indoors. When hiking, making noise by talking or clapping is an effective precaution that alerts animals to a human presence, preventing surprise encounters that can lead to defensive reactions.
Hikers in bear country should always carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, as it is an effective deterrent against bears, mountain lions, and aggressive coyotes. If a mountain lion is encountered, the proper response is to hold your ground, make yourself appear as large as possible by raising your arms, and speak firmly; running can trigger a predatory chase. For coyotes exhibiting boldness in urban areas, a technique called “hazing” is recommended. Hazing involves using loud noises, waving, and throwing small objects toward the animal to reestablish a natural wariness of humans. It is important to continue hazing until the coyote completely leaves the area, reinforcing the idea that proximity to people is undesirable.