Wild turkeys have been strutting all over the Denver metro this week, popping into yards, parking garages and busy intersections from Cherry Creek to Greenwood Village. Residents are flooding social media with photos and videos of the birds, and local dispatch centers say calls about the animals have been steady. Motorists and parents have reported some nervous moments when the big birds suddenly decide to cross the street.
Greenwood Village police fielded multiple reports of turkeys roaming streets near the Denver Tech Center on March 30, city spokesperson Megan Copenhaver told Westword. "Sudden turkey crossings are the ultimate test of your brakes (and patience)," Copenhaver said. The city is asking drivers to ease off the gas in neighborhoods near parks so both people and birds get home in one piece.
Why They're Showing Up Now
State wildlife managers say the sudden surge in sightings is part of a long-running trend. Colorado began an aggressive reintroduction of wild turkeys in the 1980s, and the statewide flock has since grown to more than 35,000 birds, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The agency notes that April and May are prime turkey season in terms of visibility, as males ramp up their mating displays and hens start nesting.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology adds that courting males, known as toms, can behave more aggressively during the spring breeding season. That extra swagger helps explain why people around Denver are suddenly noticing turkeys in places they are not used to seeing them.
Who To Call
If a turkey is blocking traffic or creating a public safety issue in Greenwood Village, residents are asked to call the police non-emergency line at 303-773-2525, according to the city’s reporting page. In Denver, sick or injured birds should be reported to Denver Animal Protection dispatch at 720-913-2080, while general disturbances go to the Denver Police non-emergency line at 720-913-2000, as listed on the City of Denver website. For bigger-picture guidance on living alongside wildlife and on hunting-season rules, Colorado Parks and Wildlife maintains resources for residents and landowners.
How To Handle A Turkey
Officials and wildlife experts are united on one thing: do not try to buddy up to the birds. People are urged not to approach, feed or attempt to move wild turkeys. The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment has warned residents to avoid petting or handling wildlife for both human and animal safety, a city spokesperson told Westword. Colorado Parks and Wildlife notes that unnatural food can upset a turkey’s digestion and that feeding makes the birds bolder, so the safest option is to give them space and keep pets leashed.
For now the birds are more of a seasonal nuisance than a real threat, a feathery reminder that urban neighborhoods and wildlife still share the same landscape. Enjoy the show from a safe distance, slow down on neighborhood streets, and let Colorado’s gobblers get on with spring.
