Aspen Wildlife Coordinator Warns of 17 Moose Sightings

Seventeen moose have been spotted in Aspen this summer. That’s not a rumor, and it’s not a rare anomaly. It’s the current reality for anyone hiking Maroon Creek or walking through North Star Preserve.

Lara Xaiz, the city’s Wildlife Coordinator, confirmed the count. She didn’t sugarcoat the situation. With calving season in full swing, the local moose population is active, visible, and potentially dangerous to the unprepared.

“The basic rule of thumb is to hold your arm out straight in front of you with your thumb pointed up, and your thumb should be able to cover whatever animal you’re looking at,” Xaiz said. “If you’re too close, your thumb won’t cover the whole animal.”

It’s a simple metric. It’s also one that hikers routinely ignore.

Moose are the largest member of the deer family. They don’t move like elk. They don’t flee at the first sign of a human. They stand their ground. And when a mother is protecting a calf, she doesn’t just stand her ground — she charges.

Xaiz noted that mother moose pose a unique threat right now. Their protective instincts are heightened. Their behavior is unpredictable. A moose that seemed calm five minutes ago can decide to stomp you into the dirt five minutes from now.

“So many folks think that if they just keep nudging along the trail then an animal is going to move out of their way,” Xaiz said. “That is just not the case, so if you see a moose and they’re blocking your route, turn around and go back the way you came.”

Don’t try to squeeze past. Don’t try to be brave. Turn around.

The danger isn’t limited to humans. It’s also for your dogs.

Moose view wolves as natural predators. They don’t always distinguish between a wolf and a Golden Retriever. A loose dog barking at a moose in a riparian wetland zone along Castle Creek or North Star Preserve can agitate the moose far more than a human walking quietly nearby.

“Keeping dogs leashed is essential,” Xaiz said. “Moose may think dogs are wolves.”

Residents should do a quick check in their yards before letting pets out. A dog off-leash in Aspen’s wetlands is asking for trouble.

The sightings are concentrated in specific areas. Maroon Creek. Castle Creek. The preserve. These are riparian wetland zones. That’s where the moose eat. That’s where they rest. That’s where they raise their young.

If you’re hiking in these zones, you need to be aware of your surroundings. Look for the signs of aggression. Pin back ears. Raised hackles along the neck and shoulders. Lip licking.

If a charge happens, don’t run. You can’t outrun them. Protect your head and neck. Wait until they completely leave the area.

Xaiz emphasized that this isn’t just about summer tourists. It’s about locals, too. People who think they know the trails. People who think they can handle a 1,500-pound animal because they’ve seen it a dozen times.

“The basic rule of thumb is to hold your arm out straight in front of you with your thumb pointed up, and your thumb should be able to cover whatever animal you’re looking at,” Xaiz said. “If you’re too close, your thumb won’t cover the whole animal.”

It’s a visual check. It’s a distance check. It’s a reminder that you are the guest in their home.

Aspen has seen 17 sightings so far. The number will likely rise as the summer progresses. The question is whether residents will adjust their behavior.

Xaiz pointed out that the threat profile changes with the seasons. Right now, it’s mothers with calves. In the fall, it’s bulls in mating season, and they tend to be more aggressive.

For now, keep your distance. Keep your dogs leashed. And if a moose is blocking your trail, don’t try to outmaneuver it. Just turn around.

“If you do get attacked, protect your head and neck and wait until they completely leave the area,” Xaiz said.

It’s not complicated. It’s just something people forget when they’re focused on getting the perfect photo.