Colorado’s Rattlesnake Danger Could Be High for Summer of 2025

Colorado is known for having a variety of snakes, most of which won't harm a human. Rattlesnakes, on the other hand, can give you a bite that can be deadly.

How Many Rattlesnake Bites Does Colorado See Every Year?

On the average, 200 people are bitten by a rattlesnake every year in Colorado; that seems like a lot to me. On the bright side, very rarely does a person die from a rattlesnake bite, thanks to the availability of life-saving meds. Still, the thought of a rattlesnake "striking" me, gives me the willies.

Colorado Has Three Kinds of Venomous Rattlesnakes

According to the University of Colorado, there are three types of rattlesnakes we need to be aware of:

• Western Massasauga Rattlesnake  
• Midget Faded Rattlesnake
• Prairie Rattlesnake

READ MORE: The 11 Most Dangerous Animals in Colorado

That Prairie Rattler is the one we really need to look out for, as it's the most common in Colorado, especially below 9,000 feet, as in Northern Colorado. I play disc golf at Mehaffey Park in Loveland, and there's a sign warning players to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, which I do. Again, if you give them their space, they're generally not hostile.

The Summer of 2025 May Find More Rattlesnakes Around Colorado

According to the Longmont Times-Call, since Colorado had a "wet" spring, mice and other small rodents had a better chance of survival through the spring. To which, more food for rattlesnakes to be sniffing out in the summer. More hunting, means an increased chance of human-snake encounters.

You Can Hunt for Prairie Rattlesnakes in Colorado

For the brave, you can purchase a small-game hunting license from CPW for about $37 and "bag" yourself some rattlesnakes. I hear that rattlesnake can make for a very nice stew; but then, you can fry just about anything and it will taste pretty good.