Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks and the city follow a non-lethal coyote coexistence plan emphasizing hazing, food-source removal, and reporting. Killing coyotes within city limits is restricted to documented public-safety threats by authorized officers.
Coyotes are common across Boulder's open space, foothills, and even neighborhoods. The city's coyote management plan, coordinated with Open Space and Mountain Parks, prioritizes coexistence: residents are taught hazing techniques (yelling, waving arms, throwing objects) to reinstall fear of humans. Feeding coyotes is prohibited, as is leaving pet food, fallen fruit, or accessible trash that attracts them. Lethal removal is reserved for animals showing documented aggressive behavior toward people, and is performed by authorized wildlife officers, not residents. Off-leash dogs in coyote habitat are a leading source of conflict and are addressed through OSMP regulations.
Wildlife feeding citations under BRC Title 6; dog-at-large violations on OSMP; state law prohibits unauthorized take of wildlife under CRS Title 33 absent immediate threat.
Boulder, CO
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Boulder, CO
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See how Boulder's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
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