Mountain Lion Advisory Issued For Deer Creek Canyon Park

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — Deer Creek Canyon Park and Black Bear Trail have reopened after "mountain lion activity" was reported in the area over the weekend, parks officials said.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife conducted an investigation and deemed the park safe; however visitors are "encouraged to be prepared for anything when visiting the parks; even an encounter with a lion," an advisory read.

"Keep pets leashed, children close, and recreate in small groups, if possible. If you see a mountain lion, stand your ground and don’t run. Be big, loud, and use anything at your disposal to maintain space between you and the lion. If attacked, fight back. "

Visitors are asked to report any mountain lion sightings or activity to Colorado Parks and Wildlife through the Colorado State Patrol's non-emergency line at 303-239-4545 or through the agency's website.

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More people are moving into lion habitat and higher deer populations have led to an increase in mountain lions, wildlife officials said. Trails are also expanding into their habitat.

Lion attacks on people are rare, with fewer than a dozen fatalities in North America in more than 100 years, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.