Editor's note: Last month, another tense encounter with a mountain lion made the news. racist or sexually-oriented language. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mountain lion encounter:Estes Park man fights off mountain lion attacking his dog. This was despite overwhelming opposition from the public and from one commissioner who pointed out that electronic calls violate the rules of fair chase. After he sustained injuries, he managed to choke the animal to death. In the unlikely event of a cougar attack, fight back with whatever you have on hand and try to stay upright. Do not approach the mountain lion, and give it ample room to escape. Speak calmly to the lion in a firm tone of voice. Most people do. Most of the time, mountain lions dont want to attack humans, and they will leave the area. In fact, Colorado is believed to have the highest population of mountain lions in any single state in the U.S. Somewhere between 3,000 and 7,000 mountain lions roam Colorado right now. In short, mountain lions are dangerous and have killed humans before. The agency offers another season April 1-30 in certain hunting units. man killed a young mountain lion with his hands. The deer and other small prey, such as raccoons, are associated with human-dominated landscapes. While the Plott hound is the state dog of North Carolina, it is a very rare breed and not well-known in other states. Severely declining mountain lion numbers and a change in public opinion towards large carnivores put new pressure on state wildlife managers to protect the states mountain lions. Even so, all those sightings are signs that there are a lot of mountain lions out there, and some are encountering humans. Education for co-existence is important, but we also need a much stronger message from our state agency that living with lions means living with the smallest amount of risk, which is just part of life. If you keep your pet outdoors, a kennel with a secure top is a good idea because mountain lions can climb fences. Click through the tabs below to learn more about mountain lion policy, laws, alerts, and more. We asked for safety advice from expert who captured 300 mountain lions. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released a four-part video seriesdocumenting the history of the mountain lions in the state. I went up there to help them capture the other ones. Depre-dation kills continued and 251 were taken from 1987 to 1993. If the mountain lion keeps getting closer: If the mountain lion is poised to attack: Many people have fought off mountain lions. It was probably day bedding near the trail and saw something running by. Sport hunting continues to be the largest source of human caused mountain lion mortality in Colorado today. There have been 25 known mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado since 1990 with three fatalities and 22 resulting in injury. Starting in 2016 Colorado Parks and Wildlife began testing its theory of less predators equals more mule deer to address a decline in mule deer numbers and lost hunting opportunities in southwestern and northwestern parts of the state. By the early 60s Colorados mountain lion population, once abundant in the state, had fallen to as low as 124 individuals. (click map to enlarge). If you ask our state wildlife agency, the answer is a resounding yes: Colorado comes from a long tradition of conservation management and we need to hunt lions in order to have lions, is the answer. It also had the least amount of cougar attacks on sheep by far. CDA Annual Report of the Colorado Department of Agriculture Fiscal Year 1996-1997, CDOW 2004 Wildlife Research Report Ken Logan Uncompahgre, CDOW 2006 Colorado State Report $20 Million Provided for Habitat Protection, CDOW 2011 Colorado and South Dakota policy on NOT killing mountain lions for depredation, CDOW 2012 Wildlife Development Standards and Guidelines Southeast Regional Service Center Colorado, CDOW 2015 Cougar and Bear Demographics and Human Interactions in Colorado, CDOW Colorado Division of Wildlife Mountain Lion Education and Identification Course, CPW 1984 Status Report 2nd Mountain Lion Workshop, CPW 1988 Mountain Lion Mortalities 1916-1987 3rd Mountain Lion Workshop, CPW 1988 Status Report 3rd Mountain Lion Workshop, CPW 2004 Colorado Mountain Lion Harvest Information, CPW 2011 Mountain Lion regulations seasons licenses 1965-2011, CPW 2012 Mountain Lion Hunting Harvest Stats 2002-2012, CPW 2012 Mountain Lion Mortality 1980-2012, CPW Apker 2016 Communication and explanation of data email, CPW 2020 Effects of Hunting on a Puma Population in Colorado, USDA APHIS 1997 Predator Damage Management in Western Colorado, CCR 2013 CCR-1201-12 Control of Depredating Animals, CCR 2013 CCR-406-3 Furbearers and Small Game, CCR 2014 CCR-406-13 Possession of Wildlife Scientific Collecting, CCR 2014 CCR-406-14 Wildlife Rehabilitation, CRS 2013 CRS-33-1-101 Legislative Declaration, CRS 2013 CRS-33-2-101 Nongame and Endangered Species, CSU COOP 1995 Livestock Series Management Livestock Guard Dogs Llamas and Donkeys, CSU COOP 1998 Managing Bear Damage to Beehives. In the clip that was shared, a mountain lion is seen hopping a fence. The CPW estim ates there are between 3,000 and 7,000 mountain lions in Colorado. Mountain Lions are the largest predators currently in Rocky Mountain National Park. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. (CBS4) - Colorado Parks and Wildlife shared impressive video of a mountain lion recently. Colorado maintains a single website for its state legislature. The Colorado Revised Statutes may be viewed onlinehere. An apex predator found around the state of Colorado, mountain lions are seldom seen, but often a topic of conversation. 39% were found to have consumed domestic animals such as dogs, cats and hobby livestock. . Contrast that to if the lion is day bedding next to a trail or on a kill and a trail runner runs around a corner and surprises itor it feels cornered by a person. Interactions are likely to increase as Colorados human population grows and development encroaches on mountain lion habitat. The agency regulates the number of lions that can be killed in each hunting unit throughout the state. CPW crews use cage-trap methods as well as hounds bred for mountain lion hunting to capture the animals, CPW said. Other wildlife:Wolf captured, collared in Northern Colorado for 1st time since predator delisted. The study was funded by a Multistate Conservation Grant from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. No. Rattlesnakes are out: How to avoid a dangerous situation. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Where you have a predictable and consistent prey population, such as deer and small animals,including pets,you can have mountain lions. kittens or injured adults euthanized by CPW, Alldredge & more(big report), 2014-15, Cougar-and-Bear-Demographics-and-Human-Interactions-in-Colorado, Andelt 1999 ABSTRACT Relative Effectiveness of Guarding Dog Breeds to Deter Predation on Domestic Sheep in Colorado, Andelt 2000 Livestock Guard Dogs Reduce Predation on Domestic Sheep in Colorado, Anderson, 1983, A critical review of literature on puma (Felis concolor), Anderson et al 1984 Status of the Mountain Lion in Colorado, Anderson et al, 1992, The Puma on the Uncompahgre PlateauBekoff 1999 Jinxed Lynx Some Very Difficult Questions with Few Simple Answers, Bergman et al 2015 Density dependence in mule deer a review of evidence, Bishop et al 2009 Effect of Enhanced Nutrition on Mule Deer Population Rate of Change, Blecha 2015 Improvements on GPS Location Cluster Analysis for the Prediction of Large Carnivore Feeding Activities, CDOW Currier et al 1977 Mountain Lion Population and Harvest Near Canon City Colorado 1974-1977, Colorado State University 2004 Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management, Currier 1976 MASTERS THESIS Characteristics of the Mountain Lion Population Near Canon City Colorado, Currier, 1979, An age estimation technique and some normal blood values for mountain lions (felis concolor), Currier Russell 1982 Hematology And Blood Chemistry of the Mountaion Lion (felis concolor), Elbroch et al 2014 ABSTRACT Nowhere to hide pumas black bears and competition refuges, Elbroch et al 2014 Nowhere to hide pumas black bears and competition refuges, Elbroch et al 2014 The difference between killing and eating ecological shortcomings of puma energetic models, Freddy et al 2004 How Many Mule Deer are There Challenges of Credibility in Colorado, Fulton et al, 1995, Colorado Residents Attitudes Toward Trapping in Colorado, Hunter et al 2008 Mountaion Lion Ecology in Rocky Mountain National Park Summary Report, Krumm Conner Hobbs Hunter Miller 2009 Mountain lions prey selectively on prion infected mule deer northern front range colorado, Krumm et al 2010 Mountain lions prey selectively on prion infected mule deer, Lendrum et al 2013 Migrating Mule Deer Effects of Anthropogenically Altered Landscapes, Leslie 2002 Mountain lion human interactions on the Colorado Plateau, Logan et al 2012 Presentation Update on Conceptual Freamework for Estimating Mountain Lion Density with Motion activated Cameras, Logan, 2014-15, Assessing Effects of Hunting on a Puma Population on the Uncompahgre Plateau, Colorado, Logan, 2013-14, Mountain Lion Population Responses to Sport-Hunting on the Uncompahgre PlateauManfredo et al 1998 Public Acceptance of Mountain Lion Management, Miller et al 2008 Lions and Prions and Deer Demise, Proceedings of the Mountain Lion Human Interaction Symposium and Workshop 1991, Wolfe et al 2005 Suspected secondary thiafentanil intoxication in a captive mountain lion (puma concolor). Have some feedback for us? Stay calm and make no sudden movements while you slowly back away. Keeler: Avs fans, could we please skip Valeri Nichushkin, Nazem Kadri revisionist history? If you see the mountain lion and neither of you has moved. Also, it may seem impossible to miss these animals in the forest due to their size and color. However,Colorado Department of Agricultureregulations allow the livestocks owner or their designee to kill or trap the attacking lion. Killing vast numbers of lions to appease public safety fears may look good on paper, but it is not good science. Reporting sightings helps CPW determine an animal's whereabouts and what, if anything, to do about it. This habitat is found essentially from the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains westward to the Utah border, and in parts of the southeast corner of the state. Every year, hundreds of lions are killed for recreational purposes, in other words: for fun. Of the 109 sightings in the southwest area this year, only five involved aggressive behavior by cougars. Trail running has become such a popular sport, and such a great sport for our state, but a lot of trail runners like to set out alone, Livingston said. Eighty-four percent of these deaths occurred after mountain lions were classified as Big Game animals in 1965. Mountain Lion, at least occasionally, can make its way to New England. We need to make lions feel less comfortable around people and instill fear in them so they keep their distance. All rights reserved. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. It's official: Jamal Murray, Nuggets are in Phoenix's heads now. When mountain lions were classified as a game spe-cies in 1970, 4,962 mountain lions were har-vested (* = 240/year, range = 120 to 316) from 1970 until 1988 (Phelps, 1989). Mountain lions can exceed 8 feet in length, weighing an average of 150 pounds. Kiszla: Avs embarrass themselves with silence about Valeri Nichushkin's mysterious absence following reported 9-1-1 call, Andrew Cogliano out for Game 7 with fractured neck after Jordan Eberle's hit leaves Avalanche miffed at lack of suspension. "Then I had to crawl backwards down the mountain with him to get him to the truck. Maurice Hornockerconducted a 10-year study in New Mexico looking specifically at how pumas respond to approaching researchers and their findings indicate that cougars are not inclined to be aggressive toward humans. Never hike alone. Mountain lions are obligate carnivores, meaning that only animal flesh can meet their bodies' nutritional needs. Designating mountain lions as a big game species allowed wildlife managers to closely monitor, and more importantly, restrict harvest. Even better, we should be halting the hunting period. There was a problem saving your notification. They don't like conflict. The combined mean an- The CPW estimates there are between 3,000 and 7,000 mountain lions in Colorado. The selection changes often, but if you love good Buying or selling a home is the largest financial investment most people ever make. Biologists across the country know for a fact that lions can manage themselves and these animals surely dont need us to survive. Stay with your group and do not wander off. The lions then shifted away from town to where the fawns were on the ground in open spaces. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife mountain lion expert based in Fort Collins has captured more than 300 mountain lionsin his career. Mountain lion fur is unspotted and tan-brown . What his study discovered was theelusive cat not only coexists withColorado's growing population in the foothills west ofDenver but may even benefitfrom food sources living near that population. Keep in mind that although cougars are physically capable of living in these places (based on geographical, vegetative and prey species characteristics), it does not mean they necessarily do. with a camera, and the use of high quality trail cameras has skyrocketed m, ore and . Mountain lions prey primarily on deer and elk, so they are likely to be present where those animals are abundant, according to Jamin Grigg, a CPW senior wildlife biologist. On Feb. 19, a report of a mountain lion around a fence near Montrose came in as well. 66% of kills among collared mountain lions were mule deer. The area was selected because of the high number of mountain lion-human conflicts. You can read MLFs press release about the outcome here: Colorado Senate Considers Ending Cougar Hunting. And that includes the Front Range foothills. Mountain lions are thriving in the state. Be it news, outdoors, sports you name it, he wants to report it. And the news is not so good. They then shifted back a little bit to urban areas in September and October for small prey, then once bears den (for the winter)they tend to shift back tothe open spaces. that is degrading to another person. You have permission to edit this article. The cat was reported around 7:30 a.m. after the family. Have a story idea? With an average mortality density rate of 1.7 mountain lions killed by humans for every 100 square miles of habitat, MLFs study ranked DAU L-7 as Colorados highest mortality hotspot. In fact, Colorado is believed to have the highest population of mountain lions in any single state in the U.S. Somewhere between 3,000 and 7,000 mountain lions roam Colorado right now. While most understand we are living in mountain lion and bear country, it's still concerning for many homeowners to see a predator sniffing at their door. To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail. A lion's natural life span is probably about 12 years in the wild and up to 25 years in captivity. For example, a juvenile mountain lion attacked a hiker in 2019. Thats more than 6 per 100 square miles making up nearly a quarter of the countrys lion population. 1 mistake in that situation. They are much faster than you. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. According to CPW's website, "Mountain lions are generally calm, quiet, and elusive. Please enter valid email address to continue. Owners of domestic animals are required to take certain steps to protect their livestock, including paying into the states animal protection fund. According to MLFs 11 western state study of human-caused mountain lion mortalities (1992-2001), the Colorado DAUs (Data Analysis Unit) where most of the mountain lion deaths occurred in map areas L-7, L-8, L-9, L-16, and L-22. According to the plan, The harvest limit in the SMA will be established at a level high enough that this SMA harvest limit group offers maximum hunting opportunity throughout the regular and April lion seasons (>25% harvest mortality, no human-caused mortality threshold and no adult female threshold)., This style of management overkill isnt worth the long-term cost, according to Mark Hurley, who tried it in a 2011 study for Idaho Department of Fish and Game called Demographic Response of Mule Deer to Experimental Reduction of Coyotes and Mountain Lions. Colorado Parks & Wildlife's web page on mountain lions, Ring Camera Shows Mountain Lion Walking Up Onto Fort Collins Front Porch, Presumed increase in lion numbers and expanded range, More people using hiking and running trails in lion habitat, A greater awareness of the presence of lions. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has documented25 mountain lion attacks on humans since 1990, including four since 2019. "The hounds will try to put a mountain lion up a tree or in a position where CPW staff can dart the animal," the . Parks and Wildlife estimates 3,800 to 4,400 independent and mature mountain lions are living in Colorado . Harvest limit quotas Colorado does not set sex-specific limit quotas, but prohibits the killing of any lion young enough to still have spots or any lion accompanied by one or more kittens. Success! Females are typically smaller. The offending hunter(s) is fined twice the cost of Colorados most expensive mountain lion hunting license and receives 15 license suspension points. The adaptable felines are able to survive in a variety of habitats found in Colorado; from high desert to alpine forests. Julie Marshall worked as an editor and reporter for the Boulder Daily Camera from 1996 to 2004 and recently returned to be the Cameras opinion page editor. During the 2021-22 season, hunters in Colorado killed 482 lions 284 males and 198 females according to the agency's mountain lion reporting site. Due to secretive nature typical of a mountain lion, their numbers can be difficult to track. There have been 25 known mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado since 1990 with three fatalities and 22 resulting in injury. Although they dont have a very powerful bite like other big cats, its strong enough to break necks, open veins, or puncture the skull with their 2-inch canine teeth. Devin Booker sulked. There is something to the size. Harvest pressure on the local population was very high and had an extremely large impact on mountain lion numbers. While mountain lions prefer to move in secrecy, they are apt to react aggressively when humans or pets come close to their kittens or a place where the cougar has stored food. Just over 100 of those cases contributed tothe most extensive and intensive studies ever done on the secretive predators. Again, mountain lion attacks are rare, but its important to be prepared if youre hiking in this part of the world. It's only speculation. Alldredge's capturing and collaring revealed the study area has the second-highest density of mountain. In 256 approaches, cougars made threat responses (hissing, growling, charging) in 16 (6 percent) of approaches, with 14 of those being females with young. Earlierindependentresearch out of Washington State University that included exhaustive and comprehensive studies of lion populations in Washington, northern Idaho and Montana concludes kill rates above 12 percent will trigger a decline in lion populations, and anindependent2020 study out of Western Oregon University concludes that sport hunting is not an effective tool for anything other than providing an opportunity for sport hunting. Most recent data released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife indicates that there may be as many as 7,000 in Colorado. The human turns around and runs, and the lion sees something running and chases after it. Each lion is also given a numbered ear tag. Colorado does not maintain a state-managed website of its statutes. June 7, 2021 at 9:46 a.m. Mountain lions of Colorado have been in the news a bit lately. Photo Credit: milehightraveler. You drive down streets in Boulder and see mule deer, which is their favorite prey base. Also in the news is that an undisclosed number of cougars, as well as black bears, have been killed (with more planned to be killed) as part of a $4 million multi-year, predator-killing program illegally supported with federal dollars. Kevin Durant moped. Colorados terrain is perfect for mountain lions, offering them plenty of mountainous alcoves in which to hide. A key factor in determining the size of the range is availability of food. Heres a video of a mountain lion jumping across a gorge: Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Colorado's Mr. Mountain Lion:We asked for safety advice from expert who captured 300 mountain lions. And while lions can survive and persist just fine without hunting, it requires us as humans to actively preserve large tracts of unfragmented habitat for them to thrive into the future. But that doesnt exactly make it true that we need hunters in order to have these tawny beasts in our forests. Raise your arms and open your jacket if you have one. The last occurred in March 2020 when a Larimer County sheriffs deputy and a civilian were injured in an attack near Loveland. SIGN UP: Free daily newsletter + 20% off in the OTC gear shop, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Each year, the General Assembly must convene at 10:00 am no later than the second Wednesday of January. Or hike Plumas NF, in California, where large tracts of undeveloped land give cats plenty of room to prowl. Photo Courtesy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Our staff worked diligently on this issue and our members responded to our action alerts, submitting written and verbal testimony. (I heard someone say recently that if you want to prove your manhood, go hike alone in grizzly bear country and without a gun.). The best home improvement jobs deserve the best materials. The governor or two-thirds of the members of each chamber may also call special sessions. They stalk their prey, spring into action, and tackle them while wrapping them up with their legs. Make no mistake, though, these animals are dangerous, and they can kill humans. CPW enforces theColorado Parks and Wildlife Commissionsregulations and policies. P.O. Much of the state is described as prime country for the animals. This far exceeds the level of killing that occurred during the bounty hunting period before mountain lions were classified as a game animal. Back slowly away first to avoid a possible encounter. What you dont know can hurt you or your pet when you recreate carelessly in mountain lion habitat. Do not try to run from a mountain lion. Ask rangers or locals about mountain lion sightings before you start hiking, if possible. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) estimates that 58,822 square miles, roughly 57 percent of the state is suitable mountain lion habitat. Now you get an alert on your phone and you see that animal.. They are killed by other lions, bears, get kicked by deer and elk. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. They are generally shy around humans, Grigg said, but are also very curious, similar to house cats.. This year so far there have been 85 there, on pace to easily exceed last years total. / CBS Colorado. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The regulations governing trapping in Colorado do not list mountain lions as furbearing animals. Colorado is the perfect habitat for mountain lions. The area is near Grant, which is about 35 miles southwest of Denver. Former Denver Broncos player and current Denver sports talk radio co-host Derek Wolfe not only legally killed a large mountain lion in Colorado, he did it in an unusual way with a bow. Denver airport makes Food & Wine's list of top 10 U.S. airports with best restaurants, Celebration of life for Alexa Bartell, killed by rock thrown through windshield, draws hundreds to Arvada church, Skier killed in avalanche near Breckenridge. Colorado: 3,000-7,000. Poaching law in the State of Colorado provides some protection of mountain lions in law, but only as a deterrent. When he got home to Colorado, Montgomery used a slingshot to fell a bobcat from a tree and watch his dogs maul the feline to death. A 2003 Colorado Parks and Wildlife report notes that Colorado does not regularly estimate puma populations because no reliable, cost effective sample based population estimation technique currently exist. Instead, CPW developed its official estimate of 3,000 to 7,000 mountain lions by first extrapolating population projection models provided by studies completed in other states, and then by using information provided annually from hunter harvest, non-hunter mortality, game damage conflicts, and human-lion conflicts for rough indicators of population change. Today, we will look at the mountain lions in Colorado, including the dangers they pose and what you need to know to stay safe. CPW crews use cage-trap methods as well as hounds bred for mountain lion hunting to capture the animals, CPW said. I strongly encourage keeping a close eyes on kids in lion country, whether hiking or in the backyard. The state of Colorado encompasses 103,717 square miles of land. The best way to protect yourself is to keep your distance and not approach wildlife. Photo provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Colorado property tax relief: Polis, lawmakers reveal plan to ease skyrocketing tax bills, Marshall: Save our mountain lions from state-sanctioned overhunting, Opinion: No choice but for big cuts along the Colorado River basin, Opinion: Colorados housing crisis demands state intervention, drastic measures, Opinion: Faux outrage over Lauren Boeberts school visit deserves derision, Opinion: We lift every voice and sing to a healthier Colorado, too. Further, it is already illegal to kill a mountain lion in Massachusetts. The last occurred in March 2020 when a Larimer County sheriff's deputy and a civilian were injured in an attack near Loveland. Due to secretive nature typical of a mountain lion, their numbers can be difficult to track. Colorado Parks and Wildlife conducted an extensive study from 2007 and 2015 in which it captured and collared 102 mountain lions in Boulder, Jefferson, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Larimer. . Hunting is legal, but closely regulated by the state. Success! 2023 www.coloradoan.com. Lions tend to hunt in a similar fashion to most cats, which involves stalking and ambush. There is a government-funded compensation program for losses of domestic animals to mountain lions, but the state is not liable for any damage when the propertys owner has unreasonably restricted hunting on his/her land. This plan for the next decade in western Colorado would leave in place current mountain lion hunting quotas as high as 28% across . According to the CPW website, "people have fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and their bare hands successfully. Still, if you learn how to avoid these animals and prepare for potential attacks, you can hike with a greater level of comfort. The majority of cougars left when humans tried to approach and not one initiated an encounter or attacked a person. CSU:Mountain lion caught on camera at Environmental Learning Center. Typically loners, the territory range of a mountain lion can be anywhere from 10 miles to 370 miles. If Massachusetts was supporting an actual popual tion . This one cat left DNA and/or photographic evidence of its presence in at least four states during its 18, 00m- e jil ourney. accounts, the history behind an article. The cat left the dogs alone, it was just interested in steering that guy out of the trail. Here are a few things you should know about this amazing creature. That is the No. Mountain lions captured for population density study in Colorado, Sign-up for the daily OutThere Colorado newsletter here, Here's what May weather is expected to be like in Colorado, says NWS, 1,000-foot fall from iconic Colorado peak detailed on podcast, 2022 was deadliest year for motorcyclists on Colorado roads, Controversial wild horse round-up may continue in Colorado in 2023, Man found shot to death on popular city trail in Colorado, no suspect in custody, Scary situation unfolds after man falls off kayak in Colorado. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. I have literally walked into a backyard and darted a lion a few feet away in some shrubs because there was no other cover for it. Most were adult females who would come into those areas at night, make a kill and leave. A mountain lion has been filmed taking down an elk on a Colorado highway in a brutal encounter lasting 15 minutes. Wolfe wrote on his account that the lion had killed two dogs and was living under a porch belonging to a woman who was "nervous what he might do next." Share with Us. TheColorado Parks and Wildlife Commissionsets theColorado Parks and Wildlife Regulations. In Colorado, population estimates range from 3,000 to 7,000 mountain lions. If we are providing the source, then we need to recognize that and manipulate what we are doing so we don't attract the prey.