Skip to main content

Wildlife Safety

Living in Jefferson County means sharing space with wildlife. Learn how to stay safe and when to call for help.

When to Call

Call 911

  • Wildlife actively threatening people or pets
  • Animal attacks in progress
  • Injured wildlife blocking roadways

Call Animal Control

(303) 271-5070
  • Sick or aggressive wildlife
  • Injured wildlife (not in the road)
  • Wildlife in your home or structure
  • Animal bite reports

Colorado Parks & Wildlife

(303) 291-7227

For general wildlife questions, nuisance wildlife, and species-specific guidance. CPW manages Colorado's wildlife and can provide expert advice.

Wildlife Response Policy

What We Respond To

Animal Control Officers respond to assist sick or injured small wildlife (raccoons, skunks, squirrels, etc.) as call volume allows.

What We Don't Handle

  • Removal of wild animals merely because of their presence in a residential or commercial area
  • Nuisance wildlife or calls involving large game (elk, deer, bears, mountain lions) — these are deferred to Colorado Parks & Wildlife
  • Calls involving rodents or insects

When Animal Control Responds (Business Hours)

  • A bat is inside the living quarters of a residence
  • A wild animal is inside the living quarters of a residence and will not leave on its own
  • A wild, non-game animal is sick or injured to the point that its quality of life or mobility has deteriorated, and/or it is creating an immediate threat to public health or safety
  • The animal is readily accessible to the officer (no risk of injury to the officer, no property damage, no confined spaces, no ladders)

Important Definitions

Living Quarters
Where people live, eat, and sleep. This excludes garages, sheds, attics, crawl spaces, and areas under porches or decks.
Private Property Services
Services on private property are provided as a courtesy. Animal Control reserves the right to refuse service for repeated issues.
Nuisance Wildlife
Wildlife that is threatening livestock, destroying property, creating a health or safety hazard, or remains present after exclusion methods have been attempted and failed.

Wildlife in Your Area

Nuisance Wildlife Resources

Animal Control does not endorse any particular service or company and strongly recommends that consumers check references, insurance/bonding, and humane practices before hiring any company.

For information on humanely resolving conflict with wildlife, see the Humane World Wildlife Conflict Resolution Guide. For pest control (rodents, bees, wasps), search for a reputable local service.

Livestock

Colorado is an "open range" and "fence out" state, meaning Animal Control Officers do not have the authority to remove stray livestock from private property. Officers will only respond to livestock that are creating an immediate traffic hazard on a major roadway.

In those circumstances, Officers will attempt to safely confine the loose livestock to a nearby pasture or enclosure, and the Colorado State Brand Inspector will be contacted. The state brand commissioners are solely responsible for handling estrays.

Report loose livestock on roadways: Animal Control at (303) 271-5070 or the Sheriff's Office at (303) 980-7300

Colorado State Brand Inspector: (303) 869-9160

Bears & Mountain Lions

As Colorado's population grows, more people are living and recreating in bear and mountain lion country. The potential for conflict will inevitably rise, but there are actions you can take to mitigate break-ins, conflicts, or encounters on the trail.

Resources from Colorado Parks & Wildlife

For bear or mountain lion encounters, contact Colorado Parks & Wildlife at (303) 291-7227.

2026 Rabies Positive Animals Map

View locations in Jefferson County where animals have been submitted and tested positive for terrestrial rabies. Click any marker for details.

Skip interactive map

Loading interactive map...

Historical Rabies Maps

View confirmed rabies-positive animal locations by year.