Story by Carol McDermott; Photos © Larry Harrington

Western Colorado provides numerous venues to view diverse wildlife, from furry marmots to majestic elk and bighorn sheep. Natives and visitors, alike, enjoy sighting herds and solitary animals in their unique habitats.

Quiet and caution are the rules, which, when followed, will allow two-footed watchers access to the wildlife.

Colorado’s State Animal, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, can be spotted in the Ouray area, often seen near the small rock tunnel on Red Mountain Pass. Another good place to find them is between the big bridge and the windsurfing area on Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Desert Bighorn Sheep can be found in the Delta area, around Dominguez, Escalante, and Roubidoux canyons.

The sheep tend to move slowly across the faces of rocky slopes. They are very social, according to photographer Larry Harrington. “I just sat there and 40 head approached my pick up truck.”

More elusive and people-shy is the mountain lion. Along with distant relative, the bobcat, these creatures can be glimpsed on the Uncompahgre Plateau off Dave Wood Road and Highway 90, on Pinyon Mesa, and in the state wildlife area at Billy Creek. Viewers are more likely to see where these cats have been by checking for tracks, than to see them in action.

Bear are everywhere, especially east of Ridgway in the Silverjack area, and west on Dallas Divide. People are reminded never to feed wildlife, but emphatically never bears! The combination of large numbers of bears and drought conditions has brought the animals closer to civilized areas. Bears and humans do not interface well, so view them at a safe distance.

Mule deer are found where ever grass grows and water is near. Loghill Village north of Ridgway, and the fields near Colona are popular areas for them. Deer are also plentiful on private properties which border the Uncompahgre River.

The best sighting areas for elk are on the back roads toward Silverjack, near the Ouray cemetery, on Government Springs Road, and on Dallas Divide. “The warmer it gets, the higher they go,” said Harrington. “They enjoy that cooler weather.”

Deer can be spotted from a distance by the flicking of their white tails, while elk can be identified by the large, lighter colored, heart shape of their rump.
Marmots, also known as “Whistle Pigs,” like to sun themselves on rocks. So, where there are rocks, there, also, are marmots.

Colorado’s wildlife diversity extends to raptors who can be seen soaring over canyons, riding the air currents, and ground nesters, like the Ptarmigan, who are found at timberline.
The patient person with experienced eyes can sight wildlife, whether it slithers, scampers, soars, or saunters.