Coyote Season in Colorado: Mating, Pups and Pet Safety

Coyotes in Colorado mate from January to March. Colorado Parks and Wildlife puts it this way: “Coyotes are active year-round and become more visible during their breeding season in January through March.” It is the loudest stretch of the coyote year: pairs court and mark their ground, and coyotes travel farther and show up more often by day.

Coyote pups in Colorado are born in April and May. Colorado Parks and Wildlife puts it this way: “Pups are born from April to mid-May.”

Yes. Coyote hunting is open all year in Colorado, under the 2026 rules from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. You need a small game license or a furbearer license (no furbearer harvest permit needed). On hunting at night: “Raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, striped skunks, beavers and red, gray or swift foxes can be hunted at night.”

Do not run. Colorado Parks and Wildlife puts it this way: “If the coyote does not leave the area, face the coyote and slowly back away.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (headquarters, regional and area offices). Colorado Parks and Wildlife puts it this way: “Coyotes that exhibit dangerous behavior towards people should be reported to Colorado Parks and Wildlife .”

Coyote trapping is open all year in Colorado under the 2026 rules from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “Furbearers caught in live traps (limited to cage or box traps) must be dispatched using the hunting methods above, all other methods of take are prohibited.”

Coyotes can take cats and small dogs, and can treat a larger dog as a threat while mating and raising pups. Colorado Parks and Wildlife advises: “Always supervise your pets outside, especially at dawn and dusk. If you must leave your dog outside, secure it in a fully enclosed kennel.” It also says: “Keep your pets on a short leash and never let them interact or play with wildlife.”