Coyote Hazing

Broomfield’s Coexistence with Wildlife Policy identifies coyote hazing as one of many strategies to reduce or prevent conflicts between humans and coyotes. No deterrent method will be 100% effective but by following best practices, using a variety of methods frequently will lead to the best outcome. Please know that coyote coexistence is a community wide effort. Encourage your neighborhood to share coyote information and incidents with residents if they occur. Act as a resource and teach your neighbors to follow these tips and best practices too!

What is Coyote Hazing?

Hazing can be defined as using deterrents safely and consistently to move an animal out of an area or discourage an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing can help maintain a coyote’s fear of humans and deter them from residential areas such as backyards and playgrounds. Hazing does not permanently harm the coyote, humans, or property. Broomfield encourages residents to practice low-intensity hazing on their own private property, in their neighborhoods and in other locations throughout the community. Hazing is a community wide responsibility to help teach coyotes to avoid human spaces. Under no circumstances should a person approach or haze a coyote that cannot run away, is sick or injured. Residents should avoid hazing coyotes near an active den site or pups, and instead should report aggressive coyote behavior under such circumstances to Broomfield Open Space staff. 

How to Haze a Coyote

Low-intensity hazing, intended to scare away coyotes, includes:

  • Make noise with an air horn, whistle, starter pistol or other noise making device
  • Throw rocks, sticks, tennis balls, coyote shakers (which is a soda can filled with pennies or pebbles and sealed with duct tape) etc. in the direction of the coyote - not directly at the animal - the intent is to scare, not injure them
  • Banging pots
  • Shining bright lights
  • Shouting
  • Spraying garden hoses or water guns at the coyote
  • Spraying pepper spray
  • Be careful with this, wind can make it so that you are impacted by the spray - only use when there is no wind
  • Carrying a ski pole or golf club
  • Practicing the S.M.A.R.T. actions (noted below) like waving arms and yelling in an authoritative voice

For information on hazing around the home visit the coyote mitigation techniques for homeowners web page. Once again, these techniques are not intended to cause harm to the animal, but rather to reinforce a healthy fear level and discomfort around humans. The shooting of coyotes is not permitted anywhere in Broomfield County (Broomfield Municipal Code: 9-72-020).

S.M.A.R.T. cardBe S.M.A.R.T.!

Stop! Do not run! If you run, the coyote may chase.
Make yourself look big! Put your hands over your head or pull your jacket up over your head. Look as big as you can so the coyote knows that you are too tough to mess with.
Announce forcefully, "Leave Me Alone"! Repeat if necessary. This lets the coyote know you are a person, and it lets people around you know that you may be in trouble.
Retreat! Back away slowly, but don't turn your back on the coyote.
Teach your friends and neighbors about coyotes and report coyote encounters to an adult if you're a child.

Download and print this handy "S.M.A.R.T." card for reference!

Important Contacts for Coyote Information

  1. For general information or concerns about coyotes:

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife
    303-291-7227
    This office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Beyond these hours, calls will be forwarded to the Colorado State Patrol only if the concern is an emergency.

    To report the attack or loss of a pet to a coyote or aggressive coyote behavior (growling, barred teeth, barking while approaching):

    *Report the incident to BOTH Broomfield Animal Services AND Colorado Parks and Wildlife contacts below:
    Broomfield Police Department - Animal Services:
    Email: bpd@broomfield.org
    303-438-6400
    Including photos, videos, and specific information is helpful.
    AND
    Colorado Parks and Wildlife: 
    303-291-7227

    To report a coyote emergency where there has been an attack on a human:

    Contact the Broomfield Police Department: 
    Call 911

    For information about public health questions related to wildlife:

    Broomfield Public Health and Environment Division:
    720-887-2200

    For additional information about coyotes:

    Open Space and Trails Department: 
    Email: openspace@broomfield.org
    303-438-6270