Colorado Wildlife Attacks on the Rise: A Simple Explanation?

Growing up in a mountainous region of Colorado, it was commonplace to see deer and elk all over town and no one batted an eye. There was never any talk about these magnificent beasts attacking humans, or even getting within close proximity.

Read More: Wolf Attack: First to Be Reported Since Colorado’s Reintroduction |

However, despite likely being overshadowed by stories of wolves attacking livestock, an alarming number of stories regarding elk and deer attacking humans and pets have surfaced this summer, leading one to question why. Is there a simple explanation for this unfortunate new phenomenon? Some believe so.

Why Are Elk and Deer Attacks on the Rise in Colorado?

In the summer of 2024 alone, there have been reports of an elk charging and stomping an 8-year-old girl riding her bike, another elk attacking a 4-year-old boy on a playground, another charging and stomping a woman walking her dog from around 60 feet away, and another elk stomping two pet dogs and charging a pregnant woman, all of which occurred in fairly populated parts of Colorado.

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Naturally, it goes without saying that if you come across any wild animal that appears to be guarding its young, you should leave them alone. However, each of these attacks appears to be unprovoked.

Christie Greene, president and founder of the group Wild Aware has a lot of experience with Colorado wildlife including a notoriously aggressive elk in Evergreen known as "Fiesty," and attributes the recent, troubling findings to increased cohabitation.

Essentially, the more development that takes place in our wooded areas, the more we're going to see displaced wildlife become territorial to humans.

Read more of Greene's findings here.