In the Front Range area of the Denver Metro area wild animals often are found in residential areas. Last summer an elk spent several days in an area East of Longmont. Typically a bear will be found in the Loveland area each summer. It is quite common to see a fox. If you go into the actual foothills they are much more common. Boulder commonly has bears, deer and other animals. In Estes Park Elk seem to be more common than dogs and cats.
In the news today, with a photo, is a story of a bear that attempted to raid an apple tree and was chased away by a cow. At one point the bear and the cow were standing nose to nose each waiting for the other to blink. It was the bear who fled. To read the story see:
www.timescall.com/News_Story.asp?id=10702