A young mountain lion resting in a tree on a branch in Westminster prompted local police to close Eaton Street between 112th Avenue and 113th Avenue on Tuesday, according to the Westminster Police Department. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers tranquilized the animal just before noon, allowing officials to reopen the roadway and plan a relocation to the mountains west of Castle Rock, according to police and agency reports.
Street Closures and Police Response on Eaton Street
Westminster police first notified neighborhood residents of the mountain lion sighting at approximately 9 a.m. on Tuesday, asking the public to stay away from the area while state wildlife officials responded. The watchful cat stared down from a tree just inside the Jefferson County border with Adams County, in a residential area west of Sheridan Boulevard. Casey Westbrook of Colorado Parks and Wildlife described the animal as comfortable and calm during the hours it spent lounging on the tree limb before being tranquilized.
Dispersal Behavior in Young Male Mountain Lions
State wildlife officials had tracked calls regarding this specific feline for about a week prior to the capture, according to Westbrook. Wildlife biologist Brady Dunne explained that the cat is a young cougar navigating its typical dispersal age, comparing the behavior to teenagers leaving home to find their own territory. Dunne noted that cougars differ from bears when entering human spaces because the big cats are not searching for trash. According to agency spokesperson Kara Van Hoose, roughly 3,800 to 4,400 mountain lions live across Colorado, mostly inhabiting foothills, canyons, and mesas.
https://x.com/WestminsterPD/status/2099896553960051180
Comparative Relocation Data in the Denver Metro Area
Tuesday’s operation marks the second mountain lion that Colorado Parks and Wildlife has relocated out of the Denver metropolitan area this year, following a previous relocation near Cherry Hills Village in Arapahoe County in May, according to Van Hoose. State records show the agency has not relocated a mountain lion from Adams County since at least 2019. Wildlife officials note that sightings of the big cats typically increase in late summer and early fall as the animals follow deer to lower elevations.
Pro Tips: What to Do If You Encounter a Mountain Lion
- Stay calm: Hold your ground, stand upright, make eye contact, and back away slowly, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the National Park Service.
- Do not run: Running can trigger the animal’s instinct to chase. Stand and face the lion instead.
- Avoid crouching: Never crouch down or bend over, as biologists state this makes humans look like four-legged prey animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the mountain lion relocated?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife planned to relocate the animal to the mountains west of Castle Rock, according to police updates.
How many mountain lions live in Colorado?
An estimated 3,800 to 4,400 mountain lions inhabit the state, primarily living in foothills, canyons, and mesa regions, according to state wildlife officials.
Why do mountain lion sightings increase in late summer and early fall?
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose, sightings become more common during these months as the big cats follow deer herds to lower elevations.
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