Wildlife & Animals

One of the great joys of living here is Fort Collins wildlife. You share the landscape with an abundance of animals. Sitting at the meeting point of prairie, foothills, and river corridor, the Fort Collins area supports a remarkable diversity of animals, and you don’t have to venture far to encounter them. For many residents, regular wildlife sightings are simply part of the daily rhythm of life here. The local wildlife is part of the charm of moving to Fort Collins, Colorado.

A Look at Fort Collins Wildlife

Mammals

The most commonly spotted large mammals are mule deer, which roam neighborhoods, parks, and open spaces throughout the city. Red foxes are frequent visitors, especially at dawn and dusk, and coyotes play an important role in the local ecosystem. In the foothills and natural areas, you may spot black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, and even the occasional moose up the Poudre Canyon. Smaller mammals like cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, and prairie dogs are everywhere.

Birds

Fort Collins is a birder’s paradise, with more than 200 species recorded in the area. Great blue herons stalk the riverbanks, bald eagles and red-tailed hawks soar overhead, and the city’s natural areas attract everything from songbirds to waterfowl. The Cache la Poudre River corridor is an especially rich habitat for birdwatching year-round.

Living With Wildlife

Fort Collins takes pride in coexisting responsibly with its wild neighbors. The city’s extensive natural areas program protects critical habitat, and residents are encouraged to observe wildlife respectfully, secure trash, and give animals their space. It’s a community that genuinely values the natural world it’s part of. The local wildlife is part of the charm that comes with living in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Fort Collins at a Glance

• More than 200 bird species have been recorded in the Fort Collins area, including great blue herons and bald eagles.
• Common mammals in Fort Collins include mule deer, red foxes, coyotes, and cottontail rabbits, with black bears, bobcats, and moose found in nearby foothills and canyons.
• The Cache la Poudre River corridor is a rich wildlife habitat that runs directly through Fort Collins.
• The City of Fort Collins natural areas program protects over 36,000 acres of wildlife habitat.