A sleek mountain lion prowling through suburban neighborhoods near Denver recently turned a quiet stretch of homes into the kind of wildlife drama most folks only see on TV. The big cat, weighing an estimated 70 kilograms (150 pounds), was spotted multiple times lurking near parks, sidewalks, and even driveways—close enough to trigger official warnings and a lot of nervous glances over shoulders.
A Ghost in the Suburbs: The First Sighting
It started with a call to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office on a chilly January morning. A resident near South Parker Road and East Florida Avenue reported seeing a large, tan animal moving silently across their backyard. At first, they weren’t sure what it was—maybe a large dog? But when the creature turned its head and looked straight into a security camera, the image was unmistakable: a mountain lion.
By the time deputies arrived, the cat had slipped away, melting into the nearby open space. But the word was out—and it wasn’t the only sighting.
Just days earlier, a mountain lion had been reported in Greenwood Village, another neighborhood bordering Cherry Creek State Park. That park is a known wildlife corridor, and it now looked like one of its largest residents had wandered too far west.
Why Are Mountain Lions Moving Into Residential Areas?
Mountain lions—also called cougars, pumas, or panthers—are native to Colorado and thrive in foothill regions where they hunt deer, rabbits, and other small mammals. They’re shy, solitary animals that avoid people when they can. But as housing developments stretch farther into natural territory, these predators are getting boxed in.
That’s when things get tricky. A hungry cat following a deer trail might suddenly find itself in someone’s backyard. Add in the quiet, snowy winter landscape and a few off-leash pets; you’ve got a recipe for an encounter…