Risk for human, pet and wildlife exposure to ticks and the diseases that they may transmit is continuing to increase

Biodiversity and species composition, habitats, climate, terrain, precipitation and elevation are diverse in Colorado. Changes in ecological components as well as human expansion, through development of rural or forested areas and outdoor recreation pursuits, puts humans and their pets in closer proximity to wildlife and increases exposure potential to ticks and tick-borne diseases.  Diversity of these ecological components and changes in these systems affecting wildlife likely contributes to the highly variable geographic incidence of species occurrence, prevalence and infection rates throughout the United States and worldwide. Wildlife, including birds, squirrels, rabbits, mice and other small mammals common near many of our homes in Colorado are competent reservoir hosts of many of these diseases. Migratory birds are efficient transporters of ticks, able to travel long distances in short time periods from one region to another. Transport of livestock or pets and migration of other wildlife species may also increase distribution of ticks, which increases the risk of tick encounters on ranches, farms and into our parks, backyards, and homes.