Moose Wanders Into Arvada, Startles Front Range Residents

One of the largest mammals found in the state of Colorado is not usually spotted in the Denver Metro Area or anywhere along the Front Range of Colorado. Yet, now and then, those who are not in the mountains can catch a glimpse of this large creature.

The largest member of the deer family and the second largest mammal in the United States is the moose. These gigantic animals weigh up to 1,000 pounds, stand a staggering six feet tall at the shoulders, and run an impressive 35 miles per hour.

Moose Can Be Dangerous — Especially in Suburbs

Needless to say, if you spot one in your backyard, you are not going to outrun it. Did we mention that moose can also be aggressive and territorial, especially during calving season?

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On May 29, a three-year-old female moose was spotted wandering around the Denver Metro Area city of Arvada, far away from her natural habitat. The Arvada Police Department contacted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help relocate the moose.

Community Tips Help Locate Wandering Moose

Officials spent most of the day on a wild moose chase looking for the large animal. Finally, she was spotted in the area of West 75th Avenue and Simms Street in Arvada thanks to the help of community members calling in sightings.

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials and the Arvada Police Department were able to successfully capture the massive moose and relocate her back into the mountains where she is best suited to be at home.

Reminder: Keep Dogs Leashed in Wildlife Areas

The moose weighed approximately 350 to 400 pounds, according to the Facebook post from the Arvada Police Department. They also reminded residents of the importance of keeping dogs on a leash in open space areas. If an unleashed dog were to approach a moose, it could very well be fatal to your pet.

While moose are not a common sighting along the Front Range of Colorado, there have been a handful of sightings in Loveland near Interstate 25, in some backyards of Johnstown, and other areas where moose tend to follow the waterways down from the mountains in search of food and greener pastures.