Mountain lion spotted lounging in tree, causes police to shut down Westminster street

Look, we’ve all had those days where you just need to find a nice tree, stretch out and ignore the world for a while. Apparently, one young mountain lion in Westminster felt the same way on Tuesday. A juvenile male was spotted lounging in a tree in a residential neighborhood near Eaton Street and 112th Avenue, prompting Westminster police to close the road between 112th and 113th avenues while they figured out how to handle their unexpected guest.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers responded to the scene, tranquilized the big cat and relocated him to a more appropriate spot — you know, one without driveways and mailboxes. The road has since reopened and the neighborhood is back to its regularly scheduled programming.

It’s a good reminder that in Colorado, wildlife doesn’t always stay in the wild. Between bear attacks hitting double digits this year and now a mountain lion picking a suburban tree for an afternoon siesta, it’s safe to say the animals are keeping things interesting this fall. If you ever spot a mountain lion near your home, Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends keeping your distance, not approaching the animal and calling CPW to handle the situation.