Article Contributed on: 11/4/2009 3:12:59 PM
Residents in Lakewood's Ward 5, which is bordered by U.S. 285 on the south and Morrison Road and West Florida Avenue on the north has had more coyote activity in the last year than other wards, according to city councilors Tom Quinn and Diana Allen.
At a monthly "Morning Chat" with the councilors, constituents expressed concerns.
"Out of the 11 people there, nine were concerned about coyotes," said Lynnda Gies who lives near Cottonwood Park. She lost a puppy to a coyote last year and has since installed wrought iron bars on her breezeway to deter the wild canines.
The councilors have mailed postcards to 600 residences in the Carmody and Cottonwood Park neighborhoods to provide information about how to avoid coyote conflicts. The Colorado Division of Wildlife paid for the postage.
City Manager Kathy Hodgson announced Lakewood will participate in an urban coyote study with the objective of estimating the coyote population and establishing a base line to know whether populations are changing. Other goals are to determine the effectiveness of hazing and whether or not it impacts behavioral changes.
Quinn said, "Most troubling and heartbreaking to the pet owner is that coyotes have attacked and in some cases killed pets, especially small dogs."
Neighborhoods in the Bear Creek Greenbelt, Kendrick Lake Park, Cottonwood Park, Carmody Park and Sister Cities Park neighborhoods have horse properties and open space areas that provide good habitat and cover for coyotes.
Both councilors said citizens had told them of coyotes acting boldly and not running away from humans, which makes families fearful for their pets and families.
The councilors said the city was concerned about the problem and wants to find reasonable answers. Attempts at trapping and hunting in the metro area haven't been successful and relocation is not effective.
"If a study means it takes the coyotes away, I'm all for it," said Gies.
The councilors said the city would continue to search for effective, humane ways to deal with the issue.
For more information on measures to take to avoid coyote conflicts, visit http://wildlife.state.co.us.