About Coyotes

What do coyotes look like?

  • Brownish-gray with a light gray to reddish, cream-colored belly
  • Slender muzzle 
  • Bushy tail 
  • Typically weigh between 20 to 50 pounds 
  • They often appear heavier due to a thick, double coat of fur 

What do coyotes eat?

Coyotes are opportunistic mammals. Up to 70 percent of a coyote's diet consists of small mammals (mice, rabbits, rats, squirrels, voles, etc.). The remaining 30 percent is a combination of fruits, vegetables, insects, fish, birds, eggs and other available items. In urban areas, coyotes also prey on rats, squirrels, rabbits, garbage, fallen fruit/berries from trees. The Metro Denver Area Coyote Behavior study found that the majority of a Broomfield coyote’s diet is still natural and less than 5% of mammal hairs found in urban coyote scat were from pets.

When are coyotes most active?

Coyotes can be active any time, day or night, but are especially active at dawn and dusk. During the winter months it is more common to see coyotes during the day when it is warmer so they can conserve energy, especially if they have mange. Conflicts with pets occur year-round and are more likely to occur during the breeding season (February and March). Because young are born in the spring, food requirements of the nursing females and growing young remain high until late summer. As people and their pets spend more time outdoors during this time, the possibility of a coyote encounter increases.

Can we make them leave?

Coyotes have adapted to neighborhoods because our environment supports them. Populations may fluctuate, but coyotes probably won’t leave. Eradication programs in North American cities have proven to be expensive failures. These animals have adapted to our presence and have lost their natural fear of us. That doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything — you can.

It is imperative that communities work together to instill the healthy and natural fear of humans back into the coyotes through hazing — for their health and safety and ours. Coyotes are quick learners, and consistent negative experiences can teach them to avoid people.

More Information

Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Coyote web page for more information on coyotes, such as their physical characteristics, range, habitat and diet.

Important Contacts for Coyote Information

  1. For general information or concerns about coyotes:

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife
    303-291-7227
    This office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Beyond these hours, calls will be forwarded to the Colorado State Patrol only if the concern is an emergency.

    To report the attack or loss of a pet to a coyote or aggressive coyote behavior (growling, barred teeth, barking while approaching):

    *Report the incident to BOTH Broomfield Animal Services AND Colorado Parks and Wildlife contacts below:
    Broomfield Police Department - Animal Services:
    Email: bpd@broomfield.org
    303-438-6400
    Including photos, videos, and specific information is helpful.
    AND
    Colorado Parks and Wildlife: 
    303-291-7227

    To report a coyote emergency where there has been an attack on a human:

    Contact the Broomfield Police Department: 
    Call 911

    For information about public health questions related to wildlife:

    Broomfield Public Health and Environment Division:
    720-887-2200

    For additional information about coyotes:

    Open Space and Trails Department: 
    Email: openspace@broomfield.org
    303-438-6270