Colorado’s native animals sometimes act like many people do in winter, staying out of sight and cozy. But wildlife watchers have plenty of viewing options, from seeking herds of elk at Rocky Mountain National Park to observing bird migrations on the plains.
“While some animals such as bears, bats and prairie dogs will decrease their activity during the winter months, many others will increase their activity,” said Joey Livingston, Colorado Parks and Wildlife public information officer.
Larger mammals including deer and elk spread out in the warmer months, which can make them more difficult to find, Livingston said. They tend to cluster in colder weather, however, which can increase your chance of seeing them.
“Animals such as deer and elk spend the early winter months in rut and are more active as they search for mates,” he said. “The rut brings an increase in hormones that can make them less scared of people, increasing their threat level but also increasing the chances of seeing one.”
This is also the season when deer and elk migrate to lower elevations to avoid deep snow as they look for food and shelter. Keep your eyes open for predators, too. Where there are deer and elk there likely are mountain lions, Colorado’s largest cats.
Other predators — bobcats, lynx, coyotes, wolves and foxes — may be easier to spot in winter than summer as their dark fur stands out against the snow.
While it’s hard to compare the thrill of seeing moose or elk crashing through the trees during a hushed snowy hike, winter birding can provide its own joys.
“Birds such as snow geese, bald eagles, juncos, woodpeckers, chickadees, grosbeaks, finches and jays can all be seen in Colorado during the winter months,” Livingston said.
Plan ahead to find animals
Sure, you can see animals while you’re hiking or skiing, but you’ll increase the likelihood of spotting critters by attending a wildlife festival – and you’ll learn about them too.
Barr Lake State Park, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Denver, is home to bald eagles that nest through winter. Each year, the park holds a Bald Eagle Festival in early February complete with live raptors along with nest building and other activities.
The Bighorn Sheep Day Festival scheduled for mid-February at Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs includes viewing the herd that lives in and around the park, as well as enjoying educational exhibits. These stately animals also can be seen in Waterton Canyon near Littleton. Walk up the dirt road and look for sheep on the surrounding hillsides.
The snow goose, which is different from the geese seen at local parks, is celebrated each winter in Lamar during the Snow Goose Festival. This festival in southeast Colorado includes viewings and more during the first weekend in February. Thousands of birds migrate through this area turning the blue sky white as they fly over.
Hundreds of people head to southern Colorado each year in early March to join the Monte Vista Crane Festival. The flocks of dancing sandhills cranes make quite the spectacle. Folks also gather in Delta County in March for Eckert Crane Days, organized by the Black Canyon Audubon Society.
As winter begins to close, nature lovers head to the grasslands around Wray to see the courtship dance of the greater prairie chickens and hear their loud calls. Guided tours are offered from late March to mid-April through partnerships between CPW and local entities and landowners. See details (and register early) online.
Rangers lead various wildlife hikes and tours at state parks throughout the year. Check the CPW website for details.
Birders can learn additional tips for observing birds that remain in Colorado throughout winter as well as those that migrate through our skies at the Colorado Birding Trail website.
Visit a national wildlife refuge
Colorado has eight national wildlife refuges, which are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They’re open year-round and provide a great place to see wildlife during winter.
There are three national wildlife refuges in the Denver metro area. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, 8 miles northeast of downtown Denver, is home to a herd of bison that have a large (but fenced) roaming area and can be seen during a drive through the refuge. Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, northwest of Arvada, is a surprisingly good place to spot a large herd of elk in winter. Both of these refuges also are home to a variety of other animals. Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge, in north Arvada, is a lovely spot for birders.
In the San Luis Valley, the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge provides much-needed access to water that attracts many animals when food and water are scarce in winter. This area is best known for the annual migration of sandhill cranes that takes place in mid-March.
Wildlife safety tips
Experts recommend doing your part to “keep the wild in wildlife” by following basic outdoors etiquette, whether you’re in a local or state park, on a trail, or visiting a national park or wildlife refuge:
Don’t feed the animals
Don’t get too close to the animals
Don’t touch the animals
“Wildlife viewers should always keep their distance from wild animals,” Livingston said. “Any animal, no matter how small, can be dangerous when people get too close. Humans are very intimidating to wild animals who face threats on their lives all of the time and are ready to defend themselves when needed. Wild animals are not domesticated pets.”
He noted that many animals in Estes Park have lost their “natural fear” of people making them easier to view but also deceptively dangerous.
“Use the ‘rule of thumb’ when viewing wildlife,” he said. Hold your hand out and stick your thumb up between you and the animal. If the animal looks larger than your thumb, you’re too close. Back away slowly.
“Invest in a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope if you want to view wildlife safely and ethically,” Livingston said.
Following these basic rules, the best opportunities for spotting wildlife can be found well off established roads or trails, Livingston said. If you’re in a vehicle, consider parking and turning off your engine. Allow the silence to help draw animals from cover.
Always respect wildlife and think of safety — not selfies — when observing animals in their native environment.
