Living with Wildlife

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Pitkin County Open Space and Trails wants residents and visitors to Pitkin County to enjoy the abundant wildlife that is part of the Colorado outdoors, but to do so safely and respectfully. Please help up protect the important natural resource that is wildlife.

Wolves in Colorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has begun reintroducing wolves to Colorado. In January 2025, 15 gray wolves from British Columbia were released at undisclosed locations in Pitkin and Eagle counties. This followed the release of 10 wolves in the northwest part of the state in December 2023. Below is a Jan. 7 presentation by CPW staff in Aspen on Living With Wolves.

More about wolves from Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Gray wolf species with sighting report
Living with wolves
Wolves in Colorado (CPW's main page with links to a multitude of information)

A graphic depicting the size of a wolf compared to a human, a mountain lion, coyote and fox.

Learn the rule of thumb

Hold out your thumb at arm's length. If it completely conceals a wild animal, you are theoretically at a safe distance. If you're not, back away slowly. Never approach a wild animal. It may behave aggressively toward a human for various reasons. Don't take a chance. And leashed dogs around wildlife is a must.

Rule of Thumb graphic

Why leash your pet?

While there are areas for off-leash play with dogs, leashing dogs is required on many trails in Aspen and Pitkin County, and with good reason. On busy trails, loose dogs can cause conflicts with bicyclists, resulting in injuries to the dog, bicyclist or both. Keep your pooch leashed and at your side. 

In addition, a loose dog can be harmed or killed by a wild animal defending itself against a pet that it considers a threat. Or, an unleashed dog may harm wildlife, even if it doesn't actually chase and kill or maim an animal. Off-leash dogs contribute to:

  • higher stress levels in wild animals
  • lower reproduction rates
  • abandonment of young
  • disturbance of ground-nesting birds

If you meet a moose...

Moose are Colorado's largest mammal and relatively common in Aspen and Pitkin County. They are fun to watch - from a safe distance. Up close, they can be unpredictable and aggressive. While other wild animals tend to run from humans, moose stand their ground. Females with calves and bulls (males) in the grip of fall mating season are especially prickly. Never approach a moose, and back away slowly if you find yourself close to one. Tips from Colorado Parks and Wildlife:

  • If a moose displays aggressive behavior or begins to charge, quickly move to put something large between you and the animal - a vehicle, boulder or stout tree trunk, for example. You cannot outrun a moose.
  • Recognize the signs that you're too close: The moose licks its snout, pins its ears back or raises the hair on its neck and shoulders in response to your presence.
  • Keep dogs away from moose. Canines can trigger an aggressive response. 


Mountain lions share our outdoor spaces

Mountain lions are the largest feline predator in North America, and one you'll probably never see. They're quiet and elusive, and lion attacks are rare. If you do encounter one, do NOT turn and run. Doing so can trigger the cat's instinct to chase. Make yourself look large by holding your arms over your head while backing away very slowly. Throw sticks and rocks, and yell, if necessary to drive it off. Fight back if it should attack. Stay on your feet and get back up if you're knocked down.


If you see a bear on the trail...

Colorado is home to black bears (though they come in various shades of blond, brown and black). On the trail, they tend to shy away from people, but if you come upon one, back away slowly and talk to it in a calm voice. Do not turn and run. If it stands on its hind legs, it's probably trying to identify you by getting a better look. If you see cubs, leave the area; mom is nearby. Always leave a bear with an escape route. Step off the trail to the downhill side. In the unlikely event that you are attacked, fight back with everything you've got. Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers advice regarding bear encounters on the trail, and in your yard:

Colorado Parks and Wildlife also offers advice on camping in bear country.