Colorado gardens can be full of unexpected visitors, but not all of them can be legally removed. Some creatures are protected, even if they’re causing a bit of trouble.
I’ve learned the hard way which ones you need to leave alone. Here’s a guide to the critters you’ll have to coexist with in your yard!
1. Bald Eagles
These majestic birds are federally protected under multiple laws, making it illegal to disturb their nests or habitats. Penalties for harming bald eagles in Colorado can reach $100,000 in fines.
Even if they build nests on your property, you must leave them undisturbed. Contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife for guidance if eagles are causing genuine concerns.
2. Great Horned Owls
Night hunters with those distinctive ear tufts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Many Colorado residents actually welcome these natural pest controllers in their yards.
Removing or disturbing their nests, even in the off-season, violates federal law. These owls often return to the same nesting sites year after year throughout the Centennial State.
3. Black Bears
Encountering these powerful mammals in your yard might be frightening, but Colorado law prohibits relocating them yourself. Bears are managed exclusively by wildlife officials who determine when relocation is necessary.
Focus instead on bear-proofing your Colorado property by removing attractants like unsecured trash, bird feeders, and fruit trees. This reduces unwanted visits without breaking wildlife protection laws.
4. Prairie Dogs
Those chattering colonial rodents popping up across your lawn are actually keystone species in Colorado’s ecosystem. Despite being frustrating for gardeners, prairie dogs cannot be poisoned or relocated without proper permits.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife strictly regulates their management due to their ecological importance. Professional wildlife managers must handle any necessary population control according to state guidelines.
5. Hummingbirds
Buzzing around your Colorado garden from spring through fall, these tiny fliers are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Their nests, typically the size of a quarter, cannot be moved even after they appear abandoned.
Four species commonly visit Colorado yards, including the broad-tailed and rufous hummingbirds. Enjoy their presence legally by providing nectar feeders rather than attempting to handle them.
6. Western Rattlesnakes
Finding one of these venomous reptiles sunning in your Colorado yard might trigger panic, but killing them violates wildlife regulations in many counties. They play crucial roles controlling rodent populations.
Colorado wildlife officials recommend calling animal control for safe removal rather than handling them yourself. Professional relocators have the proper equipment and training to move rattlesnakes without harming them.
7. Mule Deer
Those garden-munching visitors with distinctive large ears are strictly protected under Colorado hunting regulations. Harassing or relocating deer without proper authorization carries significant legal penalties.
Throughout Colorado’s neighborhoods, especially in mountain communities, residents must learn to coexist with these animals. Installing deer-resistant plants and appropriate fencing offers legal alternatives to removal.
8. Red-tailed Hawks
Soaring above Colorado landscapes, these raptors occasionally build nests on tall structures in residential areas. Federal protection makes it illegal to disturb their nests, even when built on your property.
Many Colorado homeowners appreciate these hawks for controlling rodent populations naturally. If a nest location creates genuine safety concerns, contact wildlife officials rather than attempting removal yourself.
9. Bullsnakes
Often mistaken for rattlesnakes, these beneficial reptiles help control rodent populations throughout Colorado. State regulations protect native snakes, making it illegal to kill or relocate them without proper permits.
Despite their intimidating size and defensive hissing, bullsnakes pose no venomous threat to humans. Many Colorado gardeners welcome these natural pest controllers that keep destructive rodent populations in check.
10. Woodpeckers
That drumming sound on your house might drive you crazy, but all woodpecker species in Colorado receive federal protection. Removing or harming them without special permits violates the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Colorado homeowners can legally deter woodpeckers with visual deterrents or by covering damaged areas. The Northern Flicker, Colorado’s most common woodpecker, typically causes the most homeowner complaints throughout the state.