Colorado police shot, kill mountain lion after animal roamed on school's campus

Local police in Colorado shot and killed a mountain lion after the animal roamed onto a school's grounds and came close to students and families, according to the responding department.

Greeley Police officers arrived at James Madison STEAM Academy in Greenly, Colorado on Friday morning after receiving reports of the mountain lion being on the school's campus, according to a news release shared to the department's Facebook on Tuesday.

Greeley is located about 64 miles north of Denver.

Out of an abundance of caution, Greeley-Evans School District 6 placed the school on a secure perimeter status, thus preventing anyone from entering or leaving the building to prioritize the safety of students and staff, police said. Officers coordinated with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to contain the mountain lion, and the department issued a reverse 911 CodeRed alert advising people in the area to shelter in place, according to the release.

Police tried to prioritize both the mountain lion's and residents' safety, but when the animal attempted to break out of the containment area, "it became apparent public safety could no longer be assured (and) an officer discharged their weapon to protect the community," the department said.

No civilians or officers were injured during this incident, and once the mountain lion was killed, the secure perimeter at the school and shelter-in-place orders were lifted, according to the police. District 6 officials communicated with parents and guardians during the entire ordeal to keep them informed, the department said.

What to do during a mountain lion sighting

Mountain lions often follow waterways in search of food, and they are most active between dusk and dawn, according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The state agency shared some safety tips for mountain lion sightings:

• Call 911 immediately
• Bring pets inside or keep them close on a leash, even in a fenced yard
• Follow the S.M.A.R.T steps:
  • S - Stop: Do not approach the mountain lion
  • M - Make yourself appear larger by raising your arms
  • A - Announce yourself loudly
  • R - Retreat slowly, without turning your back
  • T - Tell local authorities or parks and wildlife officials about the sighting