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Denver Zoo Wildlife
Wildlife at the Denver Zoo.

Colorado Wildlife

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Colorado is full of opportunities for seeing both native and exotic wildlife. See bison just off the highway or visit hyenas and lions in the city zoo. Numerous places bring together animals and plants from both land and sea.

Wildlife, Plants, Aquariums, Zoos, Sanctuaries

Most wildlife exhibits welcome visitors year-round. Denver is home to a range of attractions, featuring distinct animals and plants from around the world, as well as land and sea. Colorado Springs features America’s only mountain zoo, with over 800 global species.

Buffalo Herd Nature Preserve

Buffalo Herd Nature Preserve – Golden

Butterfly Pavilion Westminster Colorado

Butterfly Pavilion – Westminster

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Colorado Springs

Colorado Gators Reptile Park

Colorado Gators Reptile Park – Mosca

Colorado Wolf Wildlife Center

Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center – Divide

Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens

Image of a tier at the Denver Zoo

Denver Zoo

Image of the Downtown Aquarium in Denver, Colorado

Downtown Aquarium – Denver

Durango Botanic Gardens, Colorado

Durango Botanic Gardens

Good Life Refuge, Colorado

Good Life Refuge – Longmont

Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary Deer Trail Colorado

Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary – Deer Trail

Hilltop Gardens, Colorado

Hilltop Gardens & Farm Market – Federal Heights

Mount Garfield, Book Cliff Mountains Palisade CO

Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range – Palisade

Image of children on a tour at the Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Erie, Colorado

Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary – Erie

Plains Conservation Center Aurora CO

Plains Conservation Center – Aurora

Pueblo Zoo.

Pueblo Zoo

Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park

Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park – Pagosa Springs

SeaQuest Littleton, Colorado

SeaQuest Littleton

Hudson Gardens and Event Center Littleton Colorado

The Hudson Gardens & Event Center – Littleton

Wild Animal Sanctuary

Wild Animal Sanctuary – Keenesburg

Wild Horses in Colorado

Colorado has several Herd Management Areas (HMA) on the western slope of the state. These horse ranges offer plenty of acreages and natural landscapes to roam on. Visit these areas for a chance to see a wild horse and other members of its herd.

Mount Garfield, Book Cliff Mountains Palisade CO

Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range – Palisade

A mare and a stallion rest in Piceance-East Douglas HMA

Piceance-East Douglas HMA – near Meeker

Wild Horse Warriors for Sand Wash Basin, CO

Sand Wash Basin – Maybell

Colorado State Flag

Spring Creek Basin HMA – Norwood

Map of Wildlife & Plant Attractions in CO

Featured Wildlife

image of Elk Sparring

Native Wildlife Species in Colorado

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Mountain Goat, CO

12 Most Dangerous Animals in Colorado

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Brown Feral Horse in Sand Wash Basin Colorado

Where are there wild horses in Colorado?

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Wolverines on display at Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Do Wolverines Live in Colorado?

Is Colorado home to wolverines? Not usually, but some say things are changing. While there have…

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Bald Eagle Chatfield Reservoir Frozen Lake Colorado

Are there Bald Eagles in Colorado

Since bald eagles are America’s National Bird, the numerous natural lands in Colorado that provide habitat…

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Estes Park Colorado Black Bear up a tree

Fatal Bear Attacks in Colorado

While bear sightings aren’t rare in Colorado, fatal attacks are, thankfully. Just a handful of deaths…

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Image of a Tiger Swallowtail in Longmont, Colorado

Types of Butterflies to See in Colorado

Insect enthusiasts and lepidopterists love the assortment of butterflies in Colorado. When trekking through wildflower fields,…

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Lone Star tick

Are there ticks in Colorado?

Ticks are small spider-like parasites that can be found in Colorado. These creatures have been around…

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Humpback Chub Upper Colorado River in Colorado

Native Fish of Colorado

Fish have been introduced into Coloradoโ€™s streams since the 1870s, so theyโ€™ve been around for quite…

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American Dipper

Majestic Birds of Colorado

Colorado is home to several species of birds and certainly has no shortage of picturesque backdrops…

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Guide to Wildlife in Colorado

Colorado Wildlife Bull Elk Estes Park
Bull Elk in Estes Park. Photo: Jay Melnick

Discover live animals that you would not otherwise get to see easily at the zoo. Some parks act as a rescue for wild animals that can not return to the wild. Therefore they play an important role in sheltering these magnificent animals.

Colorado is home to a unique number of wildlife attractions. You can see alligators in the San Luis Valley at the Gator Farm. Or spend a rewarding day southeast of Denver at the Great Mustang Escape, bonding with the beautiful horses there. Located just west of Colorado Springs is a wild canine sanctuary, home a several wolf and fox species.

Red-tailed Hawk in a tree in Gunnison CO
Red-tailed hawk in Gunnison, CO. Photo by: Larry Lamsa

In addition to all the developed attractions, you can witness a range of native wildlife all around the state. Big animals include deer, elk, moose, mountain lions, black bears, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, among others. Smaller animals include marmots, raccoons, prairie dogs, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, rats, mice, birds, insects.

With over a third of the land in Colorado, federal public land, wildlife has plenty of places to roam. It’s easy to spot wildlife, both big and small if you’re patient and your not racing through the state. Depending on what you’re looking for, will dictate where you go. The Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) oversees some of the state’s parks and wildlife areas.

Tips for Viewing Colorado Wildlife

Wildlife Deer Rocky Mountain Arsenal Refuge Colorado
White-tailed deer in Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Tony’s Takes

If you’re out and about, remember to never feed the wildlife or approach it in the wild. If viewing from a car, stay in it. It can act as a blind. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to not bump into any of Colorado’s larger creatures while on a hike or out camping, be sure to make lots of noise as you move around, decreasing the chances you’ll startle one.

National Wildlife Refuges in Colorado

If you’re looking to observe native wildlife in their natural habitat, national wildlife refuges are a great place to get lucky. Seven of the eight are open to the public year-round and free to enter. Arapaho NWR is situated in North Park, Colorado’s moose capital.

Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge Colorado

Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge – Walden

Baca National Wildlife Refuge Sangre De Cristo Mountains Colorado

Baca National Wildlife Refuge – Crestone

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge Colorado Log Cabin

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge – Maybell

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Colorado

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge – Monte Vista

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge Golden

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge – Golden

Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge – Commerce City

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge Arvada

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge – Arvada

Latest in Wildlife

A cow and calf moose wade in the water of Sprague Lake during autumn in Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado

Where to See Moose in Colorado

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National Center Atmospheric Research Boulder CO

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Downtown Colorado Springs on Kiowa Street with Pikes Peak in background

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Related Activities

See native plants and animals in their natural habitat. State Forest State Park is known for its moose, with nearly 1/3 of North Park’s population residing in the park. Birding is another common activity at many state parks.

Arapaho National Recreation Area

Colorado Federal Lands

Roxborough State Park

Colorado State Parks

Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area

Colorado State Wildlife Areas

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