Owls in Colorado

Colorado is home to 14 owl species, which can be attributed to the state’s diverse environments, including mountains, grasslands, and arid areas. While all owls are federally protected, the Burrowing Owl is considered at risk. This is an indirect effect of increased farming, which requires more land and has destroyed prairie dog burrows, which served as homes for this species of owl.

List of Owls in Colorado

Name	Average Size	Status	Where Do They Live in the State	Mating Season
Small Owls
Northern Pygmy Owl	Length: 5.9–6.7 inches Wingspan: 12 inches	Native	Northern Colorado, around Boulder County	Spring to early summer (Late April to June)
Burrowing Owl	Length: 9-11 inches Wingspan:  21-24 inches	Native	Prairie dog “towns” in northern Colorado, around the Fort Collins area	Late winter to early spring (February to August)
Flammulated Owl	Length: 6.5-7.5 inches Wingspan: 12-15 inches	Native	Common where ponderosa pine and Douglas firs grow, with sightings in Rocky Mountain National Park, San Juan National Forest, and Pike National Forest	Late spring to early summer (mid-April to July)
Western Screech Owl	Length: 8.7 inches Wingspan: 22 inches	Native	Southwestern Colorado, near the Arkansas River as well as in places like Barr Lake State Park	Late winter to early summer (February to May)
Eastern Screech Owl	Length: 6-10 inches Wingspan: 18-24 inches	Native	Southwestern Colorado, near the Arkansas River, as well as in places like Barr Lake State Park	Late winter to spring (February to April)
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Length: 7 – 8 inches Wingspan: 17-22 inches	Native	Difficult to track, but repeated sightings have taken place in Pinewood Springs and Estes Park	Spring (March to April)
Boreal Owl	Length: 8.7–10.6 inches Wingspan: 20–24 inches	Native	Seen in the northern part of the state, mostly in thesubalpine forests of the Rocky Mountains, as well as White River National Forest and Medicine Bow–Routt National Forest	Spring to summer (March to July)
Large Owls
Barn Owl	Length: 12-16 inches Wingspan: 42-43 inches	Native	Common throughout the state, spreading across multiple counties like Adams, Boulder, Fremont, Larimer, Mesa, Montrose, Morgan, Pueblo, and more	Year-round, with peaks in late winter and spring (March to June)
Great Horned Owl	Length: 18-25 inches Wingspan: 40-60 inches	Native	Common and seen in both urban and forested areas, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Pikes Peak, and more	Late fall to early winter (November to January)
Barred Owl	Length: 16-24 inches Wingspan: 16-24 inches	Native	Extremely rare, only a few sightings near the Oklahoma panhandle and around South Platte River	Late winter to spring (February to April)
Snowy Owl	Length: 20-27 inches Wingspan: 49-58 inches	Native	These owls are seen throughout the year on the Western Slope, but during winter, they are also seen in other parts of the state	Varies by region and based on prey availability (any time between May and September)
Long-eared Owl	Length: 13-16 inches Wingspan: 24-40 inches	Native	These owls are seen throughout the year on the Western Slope, but during winter, they are also seen other parts of the state	Late winter to Spring (February to April)
Short-eared Owl	Length: 13-17 inches Wingspan: 33-43 inches	Native	Very common in the grasslands of eastern Colorado in places like Chatfield State Park	Varies, often in early spring (March to September)
Spotted Owl	Length: 17 inches Wingspan: 45 inches	Native	Seen in the southern Rocky Mountains as well as National Forests like Rio Grande and Gunnison	Early spring to late summer (February to August)

Where Can You See Owls in Colorado

The Lake Pueblo State Park is a great place to see owls like the Great Horned Owl. It can also be seen in Rocky Mountain National Park, which is also home to other owls like the Boreal Owl and the Northern Pygmy Owl. Hiking on the Pikes Peak trail might lead to a sighting of the Flammulated Owl. Similarly, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the Western Screech while walking on the Pronghorn Trail.