COLORADO NEWS

Colorado’s most dangerous animal isn’t a bear or mountain lion. It’s the one you’re trying to take a selfie with

Aug 6, 2026, 3:44 PM

Congratulations, Colorado. Of all the toothy, venomous and clawed creatures roaming the Centennial State, the one most likely to ruin your day is a gangly, 1,500-pound herbivore — the moose.

According to a new ranking from World Population Review, moose are the most dangerous animal in Colorado, beating out mountain lions, rattlesnakes and whatever is lurking in your garage at 2 a.m. Colorado shares the moose distinction with Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont — meaning the animal is apparently just as cranky in the Rockies as it is in New England. And before you laugh, consider that a bull moose stands about 6 feet tall at the shoulder, can run 35 miles per hour, and has zero interest in your hiking plans.

The full national list reads like a game of “Worst Animal Bingo.” Coyotes top the chart in four states including neighboring Utah. Bears dominate in seven states across multiple confusingly specific subspecies — black bear, American black bear, North American black bear — and snakes claim the crown in a whopping 14 states, from the Timber rattlesnake in Connecticut to the Yellow-bellied sea snake in Hawaii. Meanwhile, Alaska’s most dangerous animal is simply “dogs,” which feels like it deserves its own article.

Bottom line: if you see a moose on the trail this summer, do not approach it, do not try to pet it, and for goodness’ sake, do not try to take a selfie with it. That antler rack is not a prop.

Colorado News

Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

It’s official, nobody’s behind the wheel of those Waymos in Denver anymore

If you’ve been doing double-takes at those white Jaguars with the spinning sensors on top, here’s the update that will either thrill you or keep you up at night: there’s […]

1 minute ago

Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

The Farmers’ Almanac just dropped its winter forecast, and Colorado skiers might want to sit down

It’s 102 degrees outside and your car’s steering wheel could fry an egg, so naturally it’s time to talk about winter. The Farmers’ Almanac released its 2026-2027 winter forecast this […]

8 minutes ago

(Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)...

Shawn Patrick

WATCH – Country star Ashley McBryde puts Greeley on blast

I was born and raised in Greeley, Colorado, so I am used to the town getting smacked around a bit by all the other towns in Colorado. But I think […]

23 hours ago

Spirit Halloween...

Kevin Kissner

Spirit Halloween hiring in Colorado as seasonal stores return

It’s not quite the right time to talk about Halloween, but since we’re just under two months away from October, let’s do it anyways. Spirit Halloween announced that they’re returning […]

23 hours ago

Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for iHeartMedia...

Shawn Patrick

Despite being on-sale for nearly a week, there are still Garth Brooks tickets available for his Denver shows

If you’ve been kicking yourself for missing out on Garth Brooks tickets, did you know you actually aren’t too late? There are still primary seats available for the country legend’s […]

24 hours ago

AI-GENERATED IMAGE...

Shawn Patrick

Colorado police warn the public to put on a front license plate or they could impound your car

Listen up, Colorado. That front license plate sitting in your glove box, your garage, or that drawer where dreams go to die? It’s time to drill some holes and mount […]

24 hours ago

Colorado’s most dangerous animal isn’t a bear or mountain lion. It’s the one you’re trying to take a selfie with