Urban Wildlife Management Plan
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Urban Wildlife
This website serves as a resource to aid residents and visitors in being responsible stewards of our urban mountain backdrop and provide information resources on how to live in balance with local wildlife.
Sign up to receive email updates from the "Wildlife Plan" email list serve. Visit the City of Boulder Email Lists Web page and select "Wildlife Plan" in the drop-down menu. For more information, contact Val Matheson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 303-441-3004. Background on the Urban Wildlife Management PlanThe presence of wildlife in the City of Boulder and along the urban fringe sometimes conflicts with human land uses and activities. Although individual wildlife conflicts have been addressed from time-to-time, there has not been a comprehensive policy statement or long-term plan for management of wildlife in the urban area. Consequently, wildlife issues can be addressed inconsistently with a lack of clear policy and procedure. City Council, Environmental Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and members of the community have expressed the need for a wildlife management plan, especially in recent discussions about prairie dog management and other wildlife/land-use issues. Over the years, City Council members have raised concerns about the need for a broader look at wildlife and urban land-use issues when making decisions about managing wildlife in specific areas. Black-tailed Prairie Dog Component of the Urban Wildlife Management PlanOn Aug. 26, 2006, Boulder County and the Boulder City Council approved the Black-tailed Prairie Dog Component of the Urban Wildlife Management Plan (UWMP). The plan establishes a set of policies and procedures for managing wildlife, including species of special concern, within Boulder on both public and private lands.
Bear and Mountain Lion Component of the Urban Wildlife PlanOn Oct. 18, 2011, City Council adopted the Bear and Mountain Lion component of the Urban Wildlife Plan.
Urban Black Bear Education and Enforcement Project The purpose of the program is to explore the effectiveness of education and enforcement on improving the way residential trash is secured and other bear attractants are minimized in western Boulder. The partnership involves combining city and CPW staffs to focus on a limited area of the city in 2012 to:
Timeline: April - November 2012 Public meetings and information
You can also take the "Bears in Boulder" community survey. Project Area: Approximately 600 residences west of Ninth Street, north of Baseline Road and south of Arapahoe Avenue (see map below).
Prairie DogsProposed prairie dog relocation to the Richardson II property Prairie dogs occupying 39 acres on city parks and open space properties near Foothills Community Park are proposed for relocation to city open space north of Lookout Road at North 75th Street (Richardson II property). The prairie dog component of the city's Urban Wildlife Management Plan (UWMP), accepted by council in 2006, identified the Foothills Community Park area for near-term prairie dog removal primarily because prairie dog encroachment has the potential to adversely affect the park's developed assets, like multi-use fields. Richardson II is a 120-acre site that includes between 12 and 13 acres currently occupied by prairie dogs. Prior to 2008, the colony on the Richardson II property covered 109 acres. Following a suspected 2008 plague outbreak, the site is down to a 12-acre active prairie dog colony (based on a 2010 survey). This site meets the criteria outlined in the city's Grassland Plan to serve as a receiving site for prairie dog relocation. A permit from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) is necessary to relocate prairie dogs. This relocation project was originally planned for the fall of 2010. However, in response to feedback from nearby residents who requested more time to provide input, the project was postponed until this year. Staff continues to work with community members, the CDOW and other stakeholders to mitigate community concerns. The city posted a mitigation plan on the city website on May 24, and submitted the permit request to the CDOW on June 7. On Friday, July 1, the CDOW denied the prairie dog relocation permit request submitted by the city. Staff will be working to develop next steps in the coming weeks. Permit Application Materials
Prairie Dog relocation public meeting
Prairie Dog Lethal Control Permit Application
If you have development plans for your property that may be in conflict with prairie dogs on the site or if you have any questions about prairie dogs lethal control permits, go to the Wildlife Ordinance site. If prairie dogs are causing nuisance problems for you or the uses on your property, do not attempt to poison or kill the animals. Last Updated on Thursday, 26 April 2012 13:41 |
Boulder is fortunate to have a natural environment as our backyard. But with this benefit also comes responsibility to the natural surroundings, including urban wildlife.
Final Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Component of the Urban Wildlife Management Plan
For more information, contact Val Matheson, Urban Wildlife Conservation Coordinator, at 303-441-3004 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.