Springs brings snake danger back to Colorado

Snakes are one of many animal hazards that Coloradans and visitors to the state have to be aware of when we’re outdoors.

Monday afternoon, a woman was bitten by a rattlesnake at the Ute Valley Park and had to be airlifted to a local hospital. It’s a good reminder to everyone to pay close attention to your surroundings.

Did you know that rattlesnakes can be found at elevations of up to 9,500 feet in Colorado? That’s higher in elevation than some mountain towns. While we see plenty of rattlesnakes along the Front Range, snake bite deaths are fairly uncommon in Colorado.

That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen. Just last year, 31-year-old Daniel Hohs died after being bitten on October 7th, outside of Denver. Up until Hohs’ death, Colorado hadn’t had a fatal snake bite incident since 1999.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has some great information in their online guide of hazardous snakes and amphibians to watch for when you’re out and about. Not only do you need to be aware of what’s around you when you’re out enjoying a hike, but you need to be aware of what’s in your own backyard. Just ask the Digital Manager at News 5.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s handy guide to snakes and amphibians here.