Mountain Lion Caught On Surveillance Video Outside Lakewood Home

LAKEWOOD, CO — A mountain lion was caught on camera strolling though Denver's metro area this week. A Lakewood resident released a surveillance video that shows the large cat walking by her front porch Tuesday night near West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife circulated the video along with a warning about increased mountain lion sightings in populated areas.

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

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Lion attacks on people are rare, with fewer than a dozen fatalities in North America in more than 100 years, CPW said.

Local wildlife officials offered the following tips for staying safe:

• Go in groups when you walk or hike in mountain lion country, and make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a lion. A sturdy walking stick is a good idea; it can be used to ward off a lion. Make sure children are close to you and within your sight at all times. Talk with children about lions and teach them what to do if they meet one.
• Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Stay calm when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly and firmly to it. Move slowly.
• Stop or back away slowly, if you can do it safely. Running may stimulate a lion's instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright.
• Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you're wearing one. If you have small children with you, protect them by picking them up so they won't panic and run.
• If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. What you want to do is convince the lion you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to the lion.
• Fight back if a lion attacks you. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. People have fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and their bare hands successfully. Remain standing or try to get back up.

To report a sighting in Colorado, call CPW in your territory:

CPW Headquarters (Denver): (303) 297-1192
Northeast Region CPW Office (Denver): (303) 291-7227
West Region CPW Office (Grand Junction): (970) 255-6100
Southeast Region CPW Office (Colorado Springs): (719) 227-5200
Southwest Region CPW Office (Durango): (970) 247-0855