Show All Answers

1. Pest Wildlife and Wildlife Conflict

Dead Animal Removal

Jefferson County Animal Control can remove dead wildlife weighing less than 100 pounds from roads or private property at no cost to the resident. For larger animals, contact the Colorado State Patrol at 303-239-4501. Be careful when handling dead animals, and be aware of animal-borne diseases that may be present. Please note that Dead animals on private property are the responsibility of homeowner. 

Sick or Injured Animals

If you are concerned about an animal that is sick, injured, or behaving oddly, report it to Jefferson County Dispatch at 303-980-7300, you will be connected to the proper agency. Jefferson County Animal Control or the animal control department in your jurisdiction is able to assist with stray animals, while Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides services for sick or injured wildlife. If you suspect juvenile wildlife has been orphaned, please wait and give space, as their mother is likely nearby.

Several species in Jefferson County are known to transmit rabies, including bats, skunks, and raccoons. If you find these animals in your house or behaving oddly on your property, do not attempt to approach or handle them, and contact Jeffco Dispatch at 303-980-7300. If you or a pet has been bitten, seek medical attention immediately, and report the bite to Jeffco Public Health. The best way to reduce the risk of rabies transmission is to vaccinate pets. Foothills Animal Shelter hosts weekly vaccine, license, and microchip clinics, where cats and dogs can get their rabies vaccine for $15.

Loose livestock should be reported to animal control at 303-271-5070 or to the Sheriff’s Office directly at 303-277-0211.  

Living with Wildlife

There are many resources to help you if you are experiencing wildlife conflict or are concerned about wildlife interactions. Colorado Parks and Wildlife can help with concerns with big game animals including deer, elk, pronghorn, sheep, goats, bear, and moose. Contact the Northeast Region Colorado Parks and Wildlife office at 303-291-7227 if wildlife poses an immediate danger. For smaller wildlife please contact Jefferson County Animal Control or the animal control department in your jurisdiction, or see below for pest and nuisance wildlife management resources.

In most cases, wildlife conflict can be avoided through thoughtful actions in your home and never feeding or interfering with wildlife behavior. View tips on avoiding wildlife conflict and specific information on living with bears, coyotes, mountain lions, moose, fox, and more.

Additional materials and resources on wildlife management are available from CSU Extension.

Pest Management

Jefferson County Invasive Species Management provides technical support to private and public landowners to assist them in identifying and managing invasive pests and ensuring compliance with the Colorado Pest Act. Find information on vertebrate pests including prairie dogs, mice and voles, and woodpeckers or information about Douglass Fir Tussock Moth, Emerald Ash Borer, Mountain Pine Beetle, and more.

For information on laws pertaining to controlling, removing, and relocating wildlife on your property download the Nuisance Wildlife laws brochure from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Jefferson County Animal Control and Colorado Parks and Wildlife do not provide pest removal services. For pest removal services, please contact a private company. Jefferson County does not endorse any particular service or company and strongly recommends that consumers check references, licenses, insurance, and bonding before hiring any company.

• Acorn Wildlife Control: 303-979-0900
• AGD Varmint Control: 303-748-8879
• All American Wildlife Damage Specialist: 303-840-7743
• A All Animal Control of Denver: 303-452-2113
• Animal and Pest Control Specialist: 303-987-0842
• Animal Damage Control: 303-884-9100
• Critter Control: 303-274-8837
• EnviroCritter: 720-295-7378
• Urban Wildlife Rescue: 303-340-4911
• Urban Wildlife Services: 303-588-1869

For garden and yard pests, CSU Extension offers diagnosis of pest problems and recommendations for management strategies.

2. Hunting and Fishing

Hunting

Colorado Parks and Wildlife issues hunting licenses and offers an abundance of hunter education resources including hunt planning guides, an interactive hunting atlas, and maps.

Fishing

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is responsible for managing fish hatcheries and stocking, as well as issuing fishing licenses. They also provide a fishing atlas on their website that can be used as a virtual scouting tool to help filter your fishing preferences. 

Trout Unlimited is the state's leading non-profit in conservation, protection, and restoration in Colorado's coldwater fisheries and watersheds. They host a number of community fishing events, provide information on native trout, and manage various habitat restoration projects.

Ranching for Wildlife

The Ranching for Wildlife program is a wildlife management partnership between ranchers and hunters. Ranchers provide hunting access to their land free of charge to those who draw licenses. Participating ranchers are required to improve habitat on their ranch for game and non-game animals.

3. Conservation and Habitat Protection

Habitat Protection for Private Landowners

Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Wildlife Habitat Program offers funding opportunities for private landowners who wish to voluntarily protect important wildlife habitat, and/or, provide sustainable wildlife-related recreational access to the public.

Conservation for Developers

Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers recommendations to land use planners, developers, and homeowners for development designs that accommodate people and wildlife.

4. Living with Wildlife

Living with Wildlife

There are many resources to help you if you are experiencing wildlife conflict or are concerned about wildlife interactions. Colorado Parks and Wildlife can help with concerns with big game animals including deer, elk, pronghorn, sheep, goats, bear, and moose. Contact the Northeast Region Colorado Parks and Wildlife office at 303-291-7227 if wildlife poses an immediate danger. For smaller wildlife please contact Jefferson County Animal Control or the animal control department in your jurisdiction, or see below for pest and nuisance wildlife management resources.

In most cases, wildlife conflict can be avoided through thoughtful actions in your home and never feeding or interfering with wildlife behavior. View tips on avoiding wildlife conflict and specific information on living with bears, coyotes, mountain lions, moose, fox, and more.

Additional materials and resources on wildlife management are available from CSU Extension.