headerL
headerR
Left effects
Right effects
Denver Parks and Recreation

spacer
TopL
spacer
spacer
Wildlife







Wildlife in the City

 

The concept may seem strange, but most of us encounter wildlife in the city every day.  In fact, cities have entire functioning ecosystems, with herbivores, omnivores, carnivores and scavengers in addition to people, pets, cars, houses, roads, buildings and businesses.  Animals that live in cities tend to be intelligent and adaptable, and have been able to change their lifestyles in order to take advantage of these urban habitats.  The city of Denver has more food, year round water supplies, and endless possibilities of shelter, and a city can actually support a greater number of individual animals than a comparable sized prairie would!

Not all animals can thrive in close proximity to people, so the animal inhabitants of a city are a unique combination.  Fox squirrels and coyotes would rarely live together in their native habitats, but have found common resources in the city.

Denver values the need for a complete and functioning ecosystem.  If we had no predators, we’d soon be over run with rodents.  No insects would mean many plants would disappear.  Understanding what animals live in the city and what their normal behavior is can help us live comfortably with our furry, feathered, scaly and other residents.   

Learning about urban wildlife helps us create safe, healthy environments and allows us to support the needs of both human and animals.  Here you can find resources to learn about living with urban wildlife.

 

Goals are to improve wildlife habitat, provide opportunities for citizens to experience wildlife, and to create win-win solutions between people and animals:

a) Through planning, restoration, management and designation, provide and maintain habitats for protection of wildlife and safety of humans.

b) Through education, provide opportunities for people to observe, learn and appreciate wildlife in their natural habitat.

c) Develop citywide guidelines for the protection and management of wildlife.

d) Using GIS and template database, inventory wildlife.


Questions or concerns about urban wildlife?
 
Contact Ashley DeLaup at ashley.delaup@denvergov.org or 303-455-0785

spacer
spacer
Important Information

Local Wildlife Rehabilitators

If you find sick, injured,  or abandoned wildlife the below resources can help.

NEVER pick up baby animals unless obviously injured, moms are often nearby!

 

Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

http://www.greenwoodwildlife.org

Office Phone: (303) 545-5849
Emergency Hotline: (303) 823-8455

 

Urban Wildlife Rescue

http://www.urbanwildliferescue.org/

Office phone:  (303) 340-4911

 

Wild B.I.R.D. (Birds only, May-August)

Office Phone: (303) 751-5385

spacer
spacer
Wildlife Links


Living with Urban Wildlife

Living around wild animals can be tricky, confusing or even frightening.  Use the links below to find out about the animals in our city, and how to create a safe and positive environment for Denver residents of all species!

 
 
 
 

-How to Haze for
Effective Reshaping
of Coyote Behavior
 

 
 
 
spacer
spacer
Contact Us

Natural Areas Program Administration Office & Education Center

Camp Rollandet
5161 Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, Colorado 80212
303-455-1623


City Naturalist
303-455-3325



Wildlife Ecologist

303-455-0785 
TopR
BottomL
BottomM
BottomR