Sheriff’s Office participates in 9 Cares food drive
On November 15, members of the Sheriff’s Office participated in the 26th Annual 9 Cares Colorado Shares Holiday Drive. This was the Sheriff’s Office fourth year volunteering at the Inverness Hotel
where 84,200 pounds of food and nearly $14,000 dollars were donated. According to Deputy Tim Klisnick, the Inverness Hotel was
once again the busiest location where volunteers unloaded a car approximately every nine seconds.
Thanks to all those that helped make this event a success. Donated food has been distributed to over 90 food banks in the
9 Cares network, along with countless toys and clothing that will be provided to needy families in the metro area.
Living with Coyotes in suburban communities
Recently, the Sheriff’s Office has received several calls for service reference coyotes observed in residential areas of our
community. According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, as cities along the Front Range and throughout Colorado grow, these
new or expanding subdivisions impact wildlife habitat. Wild animals are often displaced by development whereas other species are
able to live in nearby open spaces, parks, undeveloped parcels of land, river bottoms, and on or near bodies of water.
In most situations, people and wildlife can coexist. The key is to respect the wildness of wildlife. "Wildlife" is just that—wild.
Most dangerous and potentially harmful encounters occur because people fail to leave the animals alone. Wildlife should not
be harassed, captured, domesticated or—in most cases—fed. Intentional or inadvertent feeding is the major cause of most wildlife
problems.
The coyote is a member of the Canid family that includes both wolves and domestic dogs. The coyote’s success is attributed
to the decline of wolf populations and the coyote’s own ability to adapt. Coyotes have adjusted very well to human-disturbed
environments, and now thrive in close proximity to people.
Coyotes are opportunistic hunters. They prey on small mammals, domestic pets, livestock, and domestic fowl but will readily
eat carrion and plants. A coyote will adjust its diet depending on the food that is available.
Coyotes range in color from near black to off-white. Colorado coyotes are usually rust colored with white or gray throat and
belly. The coyote is distinguished by its long narrow snout, pointed ears and general dog-like appearance.
The Sheriff’s Office will respond to calls where human life is endangered by a coyote. Otherwise, questions or concerns should
be directed to the Colorado Department of Wildlife at 303-291-7227. You can also learn more about Living with Wildlife on
the DOW website at http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/
Northwestern SPSCClass #271 raises money for Special Olympics
Five members of the Sheriff’s Office, a Captain and four Lieutenants, helped raise money for Special Olympics in November
as members of Northwestern Universities School of Police Staff and Command, Class #271. Students of the ten week course, comprised
of law enforcement leaders from Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota, adopted Special Olympics as a community service project. According to Lieutenant Kevin
Heaton, “This was a natural fit as law enforcement closely works with Special Olympics throughout the year during the Law
Enforcement Torch Run and Tip a Cops events.”
Halfway through the course, class #271 has raised over $6,000 during three Tip a Cop events and Special Olympics First Annual
Polar Plunge. A final check will be presented to Special Olympics in January at the class graduation.
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