Yes, Rocky Mountain wood ticks are widespread across the Front Range. You can often encounter them in foothill trails and brushy shrubland with their activity peaking from March to June.
If you spend time on the trails in Colorado, you’ve probably run into ticks. Hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and dog walkers all know this is part of life. But you might be surprised to hear that ticks are far more common in the spring than most people think.
The Rocky Mountain wood tick is the one you're most likely to pick up in the foothills and open space, and it's most active from early spring into early summer, tapering off as things heat up and dry out in midsummer. The American dog tick shows up in grassier areas at lower elevations. Thankfully, you are very unlikely to encounter the blacklegged tick that transmits Lyme disease here. That’s a bigger problem in the eastern United States, and the ticks that carry it are not established in Colorado.
That doesn’t mean you want ticks to bite you though. Colorado tick fever is the most common tick-borne illness in the state and it can lead to fever, chills, headache, and fatigue. Rocky Mountain spotted fever occurs here too, is less common, and is serious enough to warrant prompt medical attention. Tularemia is present in Colorado as well and can be transmitted by ticks. Rarely, prolonged attachment can cause tick paralysis, which resolves once the tick is removed.
If you want to reduce your risk of tick-borne illness, stay center-trail and out of brushy fringes. Use EPA-registered repellents—the ones with DEET or picaridin. You can also wear permethrin-treated clothing. After spending time outdoors, do a full tick check and pay special attention to the hairline, ears, neck, waistband, and behind the knees. Don’t forget to check your dog and keep them on any vet-prescribed preventatives.
If you are finding ticks after spending time on your own property, Mosquito Squad of Fort Collins can help. Mosquito Squad treats the brushy edges of your property where ticks wait for a host. This will help you protect your family with up to 90% reduction in pest activity on a recurring cycle.
