Coyotes are keeping Wheat Ridge on edge this week, with police warning residents Thursday that activity across the city is unusually high and that pets, especially small dogs, need extra protection. The alert follows the death of a small dog that the department said is likely linked to wildlife. Officers say they have handled multiple recent sightings and calls, and they are reminding people that coyotes are opportunistic hunters whenever food or shelter is easy to find. Residents are being asked to break habits that might attract coyotes while officials keep a close eye on the situation.
In a Facebook post, the Wheat Ridge Police Department said the community is seeing "high levels of coyote activity" and urged people to scan yards before letting pets out, keep dogs on short leashes, and never feed wildlife. The post also recommends hazing coyotes that get too close by making loud noises, clapping and yelling, and asks residents to report aggressive coyotes to local animal control and Colorado Parks and Wildlife at (303) 291‑7227, according to the Wheat Ridge Police Department.
Officers See Spike In Calls, State Urges Caution
Local reporting and the department's posts place Wheat Ridge within a wider Front Range uptick in coyote encounters, with area officers fielding an unusual volume of calls and investigating recent pet fatalities. State wildlife officials told Denver7 that mating and denning patterns make coyotes more visible and sometimes bolder at this time of year, which can increase human and wildlife contact. The television outlet also noted photos shared by the department that show coyotes near playgrounds and in neighborhood yards in Wheat Ridge.
How To Protect Your Pets
Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends keeping pets supervised, bringing small animals indoors, and removing attractants such as pet food, birdseed, and unsecured garbage to cut down on risk. The agency also advises keeping dogs on short leashes, steering clear of areas with thick brush where coyotes may hide, and making sure pets' vaccinations are current. For more on coexistence and hazing techniques, see guidance from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
If A Coyote Approaches
Experts advise hazing to reestablish a healthy fear of people. That means making yourself look big, waving your arms, shouting, clapping, and using noisemakers such as air horns or whistles until the animal leaves. Public health and municipal wildlife pages echo these steps and add that people should never run from a coyote or turn their back, since that can trigger a chase response. If a coyote behaves aggressively toward people, call 911 immediately and report the behavior to the appropriate agencies, according to Mass.gov.
Who To Call
For emergencies, call 911. For nonurgent police or animal control follow-up, residents can contact Wheat Ridge dispatch at (303) 237‑2220, per the City of Wheat Ridge's police pages. For wildlife incidents or to report aggressive coyotes, Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Denver office can be reached at (303) 291‑7227, and CPW posts regional reporting guidance online. Wheat Ridge Police Department and Colorado Parks and Wildlife provide contact details.
The department's post closed with a reminder that residents can help by not feeding wildlife, watching pets closely, and hazing any coyotes that get too comfortable around people. Officials say coordinated community action now can reduce the chance of more serious incidents as the season continues.
