A mountain lion quietly padded through a Centennial backyard late Friday night, slipping past a patio and into low brush while a homeowner’s surveillance camera recorded every step. The short clip, later shared with local news, shows the big cat moving at a slow, deliberate pace and not visibly chasing anything. Neighbors said the sighting was a jarring reminder that large predators still cruise through suburban yards near the foothills.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers later tranquilized the young adult male and relocated it to more suitable mountain habitat, as reported by 9News. The homeowner submitted the Ring clip to the station, which published the video and confirmed the agency’s response. CPW told the outlet the animal did not appear to pose an immediate public safety threat after relocation.
What wildlife officials recommend
Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends several simple steps to reduce encounters: do not attract deer to your yard, keep pets on a leash when outside, eliminate hiding places such as dense bushes or tall grass, and be extra vigilant at dawn and dusk. The agency’s guidance explains how to recognize signs of mountain lion activity and how to protect pets and children. For full guidance, see Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Why big cats turn up near homes
Mountain lions are drawn to areas with abundant deer and cover, and expanding development along the Front Range pushes people and predators closer together. Colorado is commonly estimated to host roughly 3,800–4,400 independent-aged mountain lions statewide, a figure cited by conservation groups and state studies. That population, combined with the widespread use of home and trail cameras, helps explain why sightings are being recorded more often, even inside suburbs.
What to do if you see a mountain lion
If you encounter a lion, stay calm, make yourself appear large, keep children and pets close, and do not run. Those are standard steps wildlife officials recommend. Report any mountain lion sightings or conflicts to Colorado Parks and Wildlife so biologists can track movements and respond if needed. Use the agency’s reporting tool at Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The Centennial clip comes amid other recent camera catches around the region, including a group of lions recorded near Carter Lake and a bobcat sighting in Centennial two weeks earlier, reminders that wild felines move along the urban edge. See the Larimer County camera capture at Denver7 and the local bobcat report at Denver Gazette.
