Wildlife experts indicate that most coyote and human conflicts have been a direct result of human behavior such as feeding coyotes, walking a dog without a leash, or leaving food or water outside for your pets. Although these behaviors may seem innocent, they are actually harmful to you and your family, and to the health and safety of the coyote population. 

Do not feed coyotes

The best way to minimize human-coyote conflict is to not feed them. Coyotes used to being fed become habituated to human-provided food and alter their foraging and hunting behavior. The feeding of coyotes encourages them to remain in residential areas, increasing their encounters with pets and humans.

• Never feed coyotes! Intentionally feeding coyotes is illegal and these laws will be enforced.
• Keep pet food and water inside.
• Discourage others from feeding coyotes.
• Do not touch young coyotes. A coyote that appears orphaned most often is not; the mother is usually nearby.
• Teach children not to feed, play with, or pet coyotes.
• Keep garbage in sealed containers with secure lids.
• Remove attractants from your yard such as pet food, water sources, bird feeders and fallen fruit.
• Fully enclose gardens and compost piles.
• Keep vegetation and landscape trimmed to reduce hiding spaces for coyotes in your yard.

Keep your dogs on a leash

As coyotes adapt to their surroundings, they have discovered, that humans provide a sufficient source for food, water, and shelter. Coyotes will feed on whatever is available to them, including your household pets. While some attacks on pets have been known to occur in backyards, many coyote-pet interactions occur when a household pet is allowed to roam free.

• Keep pets on a six-foot leash when walking at all times. It is illegal to have your dog off a leash and the law will be enforced.
• Never allow your pets to “play” with a coyote.
• Pick up small pets if confronted by a coyote.
•  Always supervise your pet when outside, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Never leave cats or dogs outside after dark.
• If you must leave your pet outside, secure it in a fully enclosed kennel.
• Keep your pets up-to-date on vaccinations.
• If you leave your home for an extended period of time, use extra caution when letting your pet into your yard when you return home. 

Report coyote behavior and activity 

Call the Greenwood Village Police Department at 303-773-2525 with information on coyote sightings. The Police Department is actively keeping a record of coyote activity in the Village. If you encounter an aggressive coyote, dial 911.

What to do if a coyote approaches you

• Be as big, mean, and loud as possible
• Wave your arms and throw objects at the coyote
• Shout in a deep, loud and authoritative voice
• Do not run or turn your back on the coyote
• Face the coyote and back away slowly
• If attacked, fight back with your fists and feet
• Air horns can be used as a noise deterrent. These can be purchased at most sporting goods stores or online. 

Colorado coyote laws

State law (Colorado Revised Statute 33-6-107(9)) allows property owners to manage coyotes that are causing damage to their property. This management may only be performed on your property. Contact the Greenwood Village Police Department to find out what options are permitted. 

C.R.S. 33-6-128 Damage or destruction of dens or nests – harassment of wildlife states: “unless permitted by the division (of Wildlife), it is unlawful for any person to willfully damage or destroy any wildlife den.” 

C.R.S. 33-6-130 Explosives, toxicants, and poisons not to be used states: “unless permitted by law or by the division (of Wildlife), it is unlawful for any person to use toxicants, poisons, drugs, dynamite, explosives, or any stupefying substances for the purpose of hunting, taking or harassing any wildlife.” 

Greenwood Village Comprehensive Coyote Management Plan

Greenwood Village has implemented a Comprehensive Coyote Management Plan to provide strategic direction that increases the community's knowledge and understanding of how to live with coyotes and how to minimize human-coyote conflicts, and guides the Village's responses when human-coyote conflicts exist.