Moose now live in the high country near Lake City

A traveler near Lake City may be surprised to see a moose. Colorado Parks and Wildlife brought moose to the upper Rio Grande region, which reaches into Hinsdale and Mineral counties, and the animals have spread through the willows and high meadows since.

Moose are not gentle giants. They are very large, they do not fear people the way deer often seem to, and they can charge if they feel crowded, especially a cow with a calf or a bull in the fall. Most problems come from people getting too close for a photo or letting a dog run near one. A loose dog can trigger a moose to attack.

The safe move is simple: keep your distance and stay calm. If a moose lays its ears back, raises the hair on its neck, or licks its lips, it is telling you to back away. Give it room, keep dogs leashed, and never get between a cow and her calf.

Look for moose near water, in the willows along creeks and beaver ponds, often early or late in the day. Watching from a distance with binoculars is the best way to enjoy them and stay safe.

For moose facts and clear guidance on living and recreating around them, see Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s moose and living-with-wildlife pages.