Overview
- In mid-May a bat found near the Adriel Hills neighborhood in northeast Fort Collins was captured by NOCO Humane Animal Protection & Control and later tested positive for rabies, with no known human exposures.
- State data show Colorado has seven confirmed rabid animals so far this year, including five skunks in other counties and this bat as the second rabid bat reported to state authorities.
- Larimer County and state public-health officials advise people not to touch wild animals, to call NOCO Humane at 970-226-3647 ext. 7 for suspected animals, and to report possible exposures to local health authorities.
- Rabies spreads through saliva by bites or scratches and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, so officials stress immediate medical evaluation and postexposure prophylaxis after any potential contact.
- Officials note rabies season starts in spring and usually peaks in late summer and fall; Colorado recorded 69 cases in 2025 mostly in bats, so pet vaccination, boosters, and monitoring of wildlife encounters remain key precautions.