Living in Southwest Colorado is a nature-immersive experience, with beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes, and wildlife all around us. While these are some of the biggest selling points of living here, there are also a few things homeowners should be mindful of. From home pests to weather conditions and natural hazards, here are some considerations for protecting your home.
Home Pests
Animals of all shapes and sizes also call Southwest Colorado home. Many play an important role in our ecosystem and are exciting to spot in the wild. However, some can occasionally find their way inside the home and become a nuisance. Ants, spiders, snakes, mice, bees, and wasps are all fairly common in our area and can usually be avoided by keeping a clean and well-sealed home. If they do invade, common deterrents are available for you to implement yourself, and pest control professionals are just a call away.
Termites are less common in our area but can be an issue. If they are discovered, a licensed and insured termite specialist can address the issue. Larger animals like rabbits, deer, and bears can also cause a variety of complications, though most problems can be avoided. Rabbit and deer can be a nuisance to the home gardener, while bears searching for food can cause more serious problems. Tall fencing around gardens, and in some cases homeowners choose electric fencing, can deter deer and rabbits, while bear-proof trash can and making sure not to leave food in vehicles or around the exterior of the home help mitigate bear interactions.
If a pest concern arises in a home inspection while you are under contract to purchase a home, there are a few ways it can be addressed, including requesting the sellers hire a professional extermination company, negotiating a price reduction, or terminating the contract if necessary.
Open Range Laws
The State of Colorado has open range laws, formally known as Fence Laws or Fence Statute, which place the responsibility on property owners to fence livestock out (horses, cattle, mules, asses, goats, sheep, swine, buffalo, and cattle) rather than livestock owners fencing animals in. This land use is most common in rural areas and includes guidelines for what a “lawful fence” entails: “well-constructed three barbed wire fence with substantial posts set at a distance of approximately twenty feet apart, and sufficient to turn ordinary horses and cattle, with all gates equally as good as the fence, or any other fence of life efficiency.”1 Under this law, if livestock cause property damage with a lawful fence in place, the property owner is able to file for recourse. If an animal makes its way onto your property, specific steps must be followed, including providing proper care and contacting its owner or brand inspector. While most livestock owners do not want their animals roaming and take measures to prevent it, it can and does happen, and open range laws require all property owners to understand their fencing responsibilities.
Other Home Hazards
Beyond live creatures, other potential home hazards to be aware of include mold, asbestos, lead, and radon. These should be evaluated as a part of your home inspection during the buying process and can be tested for and mitigated by qualified professionals. Though all of these can be dangerous, they are not uncommon for our area as many homes were built before newer precautions for building material and equipment were standardized.
We’ve put together homeowner tips and tricks for seasonal concerns such as flooding, fire, and winter conditions. Knowledge and awareness are key and these blog posts will help you be prepared.
Whether you’re a resident or are looking at moving to the area, understanding home pests and potential hazards will help you further enjoy Southwest Colorado living. Please let The Durango Team at The Wells Group know how we can help you with your real estate needs.
1 “Open Range and Fencing.” Department of Agriculture, ag.colorado.gov/brands/open-range-and-fencing. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
