A large mountain lion was spotted about 10:30 a.m. today in the area of West 49th Avenue and Independence Street in Wheat Ridge.
The intersection is just north of Interstate 70 and near the Motel 6 Denver West and Luke’s A Steak Place.
The cat has shown no aggression towards, or interest in, any people or pets in the area, said Lisa Stigall, spokeswoman for the Wheat Ridge Police Department.
Stigall said if people encounter the mountain lion they should make a lot of noise, stay very calm, back away slowly and appear as large as possible.
Although police suspect the mountain lion is just passing through the area, they are advising residents to keep small children and pets inside and keep trash bins tightly shut.
Stigall said that Wheat Ridge police and community service officers are monitoring the cat’s movements.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
