It’s A Dog-Eat-Dog World

Wily And Smart, Coyotes Adapt To Life In The City

Story and photos by Reid Neureiter
For the GPHN

Coyotes are wild medium-sized members of the dog family. Ranging in bulk from 20 to 40 pounds, they have long, narrow muzzles, yellow eyes and large, triangular ears. 

They may be wild, but they inhabit the grassland and park areas in and around Denver. In fact, according to Denver Parks and Recreation, the coyotes’ intelligence and adaptability has made them one of the few species able to expand their range — even as natural areas are reduced by development and sprawl and as other animal species decline in numbers. Along the Front Range, breeding season occurs in the winter months — in January and February — and the pups are born in April and May. 

Coyotes’ ability to survive and thrive in urban areas has made them a potential concern for city dwellers. They can be a threat to cats or small dogs, and they consider these pets to be potential prey. The diets of coyotes generally consists of 40 percent rodents and 20 percent fruit, with the rest from scavenged food and other small animals. 

Coyotes can be seen with some frequency at the nearby Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Cherry Creek State Park, and the Westerly Creek open space area east of Park Hill. They are crepuscular — meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife department recommends keeping cats inside to ensure their safety. The department recommends that dogs be kept on short leashes and not be allowed to interact or play with wildlife. It is recommended to pick up small dogs when coyotes are visible. 

For more information on coyotes in Denver, see tinyurl.com/DenverCoyotes.