At What Elevation Do Deer Turn Into Elk in Colorado?

One of the most common questions out-of-staters ask a Coloradan is, "At what elevation do deer turn into elk?" Well, we finally have an answer for you.

According to our research, deer transform into elk around the elevation of 8008.5 feet. It's at this point, the doe-zone layer has been depleted enough to initiate the conversion process.

Once the conversion process begins, it can take a few months for a deer to fully change into an elk. As the deer start this conversion process, you can hear them bugle out in agony -- it's a painful process, but necessary to survive.

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One amazing fact that most don't know, deer that are born with spots turn into Santa's magical reindeer. After birth, they are wondrously transported to the North Pole to begin their flight training.

If you ever want to see this mystical process, venture to your nearest forest on the second Tuesday of the fifth week of Septober.

And if you believe any of this, I have some swampland in Florida I can sell you.

This. This is a deer.

And this is an elk.

While elk and deer are both members of the Cervidae family, they are members of different groups in that family. Maybe it's the antlers that confuse people, but they look nothing alike.

So the next time an out-of-stater asks you this question, you know have a great answer for them. Even if it's not true.

Amazing Pictures Shows Colorado Elk Climbing Up a Glacier in RMNP

Look at these amazing pictures of a Colorado elk climbing up a glacier in Rocky Mountain National Park after drinking from a lake at the bottom of the glacier.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

This Picture Made Us Say 'Wow'

Look at the impressive descent and ascent this Colorado elk had to make to get a drink of water from Iceberg Lake.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

Elk + Glacier = Absolutely Gorgeous

This amazing picture of a Colorado elk taking a drink from a lake at the bottom of a glacier in Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely gorgeous. Just look at the reflection in the water.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

Lone Elk Makes the Trek

Although there were other elk nearby, this Colorado elk decided to make this trip all alone. Maybe she needed some time to herself in a peaceful place.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

Elk Waits on Top of Ridge

The photographer, Amol Pandit, also spotted this elk on top of the ridge nearby.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

Same Spot For Over an Hour

The photographer told us that this elk waiting in the same spot on top of the ridge for almost an hour and a half.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

Elk Reunited With Her Baby

Here's the reason why the elk waited so long at the top of the ridge -- she was waiting for her baby.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

More Elk Pictures

Amol Pandit was nice enough to send us a bunch of elk pictures, like this silly one.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

'Now Make a Funny Face'

It almost looks like Amol Pandit staged this one, with the way the elk is looking at the camera and sticking its tongue out.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

Colorado Looks Like a Postcard

With some help from an elk, mountains and snow, this picture looks like a Colorado postcard.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

Going For The Kiss

Look like this Colorado elk was going in for the kiss, but was rejected.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

Fishing Line in Its Antlers

This poor Colorado elk has fishing line wrapped in his antlers, which is why it's so important to not leave any behind.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

So Fuzzy + Majestic

This Colorado elk looks so fuzzy and also majestic.

Amol Pandit with Tidal Hues

Magpies Help Elk

The photographer says he noticed Magpies on an elk and when he zoomed in, it appeared that the birds were eating ticks off of the elk. Just Colorado friends helping out their friends.

25 Crazy Wildlife Encounters That Happened in Colorado This Year

2022 has already been a wild year for Colorado wildlife. Check out some of the craziest wildlife encounters in the Centennial State in the gallery below.

CPW NE Region // Twitter

Mountain Lion Found Lurking in Colorado Home

In February, a Boulder resident was shocked to find a mountain lion under their deck. Thankfully, wildlife officials successfully relocated it.

Bill Vogrin // Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Orphaned Colorado Bear Cubs Release Into Wild

These two bears became orphans after a poacher shot their mother. In February, wildlife officials found them a new home on Pikes Peak.

Andrew Ly // Unsplash

Record-Breaking Elk Spotted in Colorado

In March, resident Lee Cox filmed a massive elk in Cimarron. His antlers span 75 inches.

Lori Ayre // Unsplash

Colorado Bobcat Swipes Deer Meat from Hunters

In February, wildlife officials filmed a bobcat stealing deer meat from hunters in northeast Colorado.

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority // Facebook

Mountain Lion Visits Loveland Fire Station

In January, firefighters were surprised to find a mountain lion in their Loveland station. Wildlife officials helped the animal return to a nearby mountain.

Robert Larsson // Unsplash

Wolf Attacks Livestock on Colorado Ranch

In January, a Colorado rancher lost two cows to a wolf attack. The incident sparked debate about wolf reintroduction in the Centennial State.

Nick Fewings // Unsplash

Elk Trapped in Colorado Window Well Rescued

In March, Vail Daily followed the story of an elk trapped in an Eagle, Colorado window well. Thankfully, wildlife officials successfully rescued the animal.

Federico Di Dio // Unsplash

Colorado Resident Captures Stunning Video of Lynx in Snow

In February, a Colorado resident was lucky enough to spot a rare lynx walking through the snow in Silverton.

Sebastian Kuss // Unsplash

Colorado Cat and Elk Become Best Friends

In January, a Colorado cat and elk became unlikely friends after meeting through a window in Estes Park.

Ring Video // Denver7

Mountain Lion Caught Growling at Front Door Camera

In February, a Vail resident checked their doorbell camera and found a growling mountain lion.

CPW SE Region // Twitter

Colorado Big Horn Sheep Take a Helicopter Ride

In February, wildlife officials used helicopters to transport a bighorn sheep herd to its new home near Pikes Peak.

Diana Parkhouse // Unsplash

Colorado Bull Elk Tied to a Tree Rescued

In January, wildlife officials rescued a bull elk that got tied to a tree near Golden.

CPW NE Region // Twitter

Rare Snow Goose Spotted in Colorado

In January, wildlife officials spotted a rare "blue phase" snow goose at a reservoir in Arapahoe County.

Eagle County Sheriff's Office // Twitter

Elk Herd Blocks Traffic in Eagle County

In January, drivers in Eagle County got caught in a different kind of rush hour when an elk herd crossed the road.

Brianna R. // Unsplash

Cow Dies After Wolf Attack in Walden

In January, a Colorado rancher lost a calf in Walden after a wolf attack. Officials believe this year's attacks are from wolves naturally migrating from Wyoming.

Brian Holdsworth // Unsplash

Huge Elk Herd Runs Through Colorado Prairie

In January, a Colorado cattle rancher was lucky enough to spot a massive elk herd running through Soapstone Prairie.

Joshua J. Cotten // Unsplash

Monarch Butterflies to Migrate Across Colorado

This hasn't happened yet, but thousands of monarch butterflies will migrate across Colorado this spring.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife // Twitter

Moose Gets Rescued from a Breckenridge Basement

In January, a Breckenridge resident found a moose stuck in their basement. Wildlife officials were able to return the animal to its natural habitat.

Priscilla Du Preez // Unsplash

Mountain Lion Runs in Front of Car in Poudre Canyon

In January, a mountain lion startled drivers when it ran across the road in Poudre Canyon. It was able to cross safely.

CPW NE Region // Twitter

Colorado Deer Rescued After Christmas Light Tangle

This Colorado deer had a bad holiday in January after it got tangled in some Christmas lights. Thankfully, wildlife officials were able to remove the lights.

Vail Police Department // Unsplash

Mountain Lion Euthanized After Walking Into Vail Property

In January, a mountain lion walked into a condominium in Vail. Sadly, wildlife officials realized the animal was sick and decided to euthanize it.

Michael Larosa // Unsplash

Wolf Fatally Injures Dog in Jackson County

In January, a wolf fatally injured a Colorado dog in Jackson County. The state of Colorado reimbursed the owner of the dog.

Northern Colorado Wildlife Center // Facebook

Baby Squirrels Rescued After Fall in Fort Collins

In March, officials from the Northern Colorado Wildlife Center rescued baby squirrels that suffered a 20-foot-fall in Fort Collins. Some of the babies have a chance at recovery.

Charles Zelenka // Facebook

Mountain Lion Eats Elk on Colorado Porch

In January, a Glenwood Canyon resident spotted a mountain lion eating an elk on his porch. Wildlife officials removed the elk from his property the next day.

Denver Animal Shelter // Twitter

Colorado Cat Donates Itself to Thrift Store

This Colorado cat technically isn't a wild animal, but it sure did act like one. In January, it hid in a recliner and accidentally donated itself to a thrift store.

39 Colorado Animals You May Run Into

A large variety of wildlife is just one of the many perks of living in Colorado. Check out this list and count how many of these animals you've seen in person.

Chris Kennedy, USFWS

American Pika

I don't know about you but I've never heard of an American Pika. These little cuties are closely related to the rabbit. American Pikas are active all year-round and can be found in the mountains of Colorado and other western states.

Ryan Hagerty, USFWS

Badger

Badgers are part of the weasel family and are commonly found in open-country areas. Badgers typically weigh between 11-22 pounds and eat burrowing rodents.

Steve Hillebrand, USFW

Beaver

Beavers like to make their home near ponds and lakes. Beavers are also the largest rodent in North America. These guys like to munch on grass, leaves, and the bark of trees.

Ann Froschauer, USFW

Big Brown Bat

Bats can be found all across America, including right here in Colorado. Bats enjoy eating insects and their enemies are snakes, hawks, owls, weasels, raccoons, and domestic cats.​

Ryan Hagerty, USFWS

Bighorn Sheep

Colorado has the largest species of Bighorn Sheep anywhere. Bighorn sheep can be found in the mountainous areas of Colorado and they typically eat grass and various other plants.

Melissa Gonzalez, USFWS

Black bear

Look at this cutie! You may never get this close to a Black bear, but you can learn a couple of things about them. Black bears are usually 3 ft tall when on all fours, and can reach 5 ft tall when standing on their hind legs. Black bears forage on berries, nuts, and insects.

USFWS

Black-Footed Ferret

These rare ferrets are related to the weasel and are very elusive. The black-footed ferret is thought to be the most endangered mammal in North America.

USFWS

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog

These tiny critters like to eat insects and grass. On average, a prairie dog will weigh between 1-3 pounds. As their name suggests, prairie dogs like to live in prairies or grass plains.

Grayson Smith, USFWS

Bobcat

Bobcats typically like to reside in foothills, canyons, mesas, and plateaus. A Bobcat's main diet is the rabbit, but if rabbits aren't available they will also dine on birds, mice, and voles.

Tom Tetzner, USFWS

Chipmunk

Chipmunks are very adaptable and can make their home in various places. Colorado is home to 5 different species of Chipmunks who aren't afraid to ask for snacks from people.

Chelsea Burns, USFWS

Cottontail Rabbit

These rabbits make their home in the mountains and brushy country. Cottontail rabbits eat vegetation and are typically hunted by coyotes, foxes, hawks, and owls.

Lori Iverson, USFWS

Coyote

Coyotes live across the state in Colorado and can live up to 20 years. A Coyote may appear similar in size to a Shepard dog and can weigh between 30-40 pounds. Coyotes eat plants and animals such as rabbits, mice, and birds.

Tom Koerner, USFWS

Deer

Deer can be found in the country or on the edge of suburban areas. Females typically weigh about 200 pounds, while a male can reach 400 pounds. Deer like to eat woody vegetation and crops like corn.

Kari Cieszkiewicz, USFWS

Elk

Elk can weigh anywhere between 450-900 pounds and typically eat different types of grasses. Elk can usually be found in mountainous areas of Colorado.

Steve Hillebrand, USFWS

Wild Hog

Feral hogs eat both plants and animals and their weight can range from 100-400 pounds. In Colorado, feral hogs usually reside in the southeastern region.

USFWS

Kit Fox

These little guys usually weigh between 3-6 pounds and like to make their home in the semi-desert shrublands of Colorado. Kit foxes enjoy eating rabbits, and small rodents, but will even eat insects, reptiles, and birds.

USFWS

Gray Wolf

Gray wolves can be found at zoos and wildlife parks in Colorado, but no longer reside in the wild and are considered an extirpated species. Gray wolves are considered large dogs, and grow up to 5 feet in length.

USFWS

Grizzly Bears

While Grizzly bears are native to Colorado, they are considered an endangered species and have not been seen in recent years. Grizzly bears can weigh 500 pounds or more and are 7 feet long in length.

Grayson Smith, USFWS

Squirrels

Squirrels like to munch on seeds, fruit, and even insects. These little guys can be found just about anywhere in Colorado and depending on the species can range in size.

George Harrison, USFWS

Hare

You can find jackrabbits like this one in mountain parks, sagebrush country, and native shortgrass prairie. Jackrabbits like to feast on vegetation and are 2 feet long weighing between 6-9 pounds.

USFWS

Jumping Mice

Just the name sounds like the stuff of nightmares, but as long as they're not jumping on me, I think I'll be okay. Jumping mice like to live in the mountains and plains close to ponds and streams. The mice like to snack on grass seeds and occasionally insects.

USFWS

Lynx

The lynx is an endangered species here in Colorado and is a large bob-tail cat. The Lynx enjoys eating snowshoe hares and typically reside," in dense subalpine forest and willow-choked corridors along mountain streams and avalanche chutes."

Erwin and Peggy Bauer, USFWS

Marten

This super cute little guy is a member of the weasel family. Martens like to eat pine squirrels and chickarees. Depending on gender Martens can weigh between 1/2 a pound to 1.5 pounds.

Tom Koerner, USFWS

Mink

Minks are another member of the weasel family and like to reside in the mountains of Colorado. The mink's diet is full of variety that includes: muskrats, nestling waterfowl, frogs, salamanders, fish, beaver kits, and insects. A mink can weigh approximately 3.5 pounds.

Steve Hillebrand, USFWS

Moose

The Moose is actually a part of the deer family and the largest one at that. Males can weigh over 1,000 pounds and grow to 9.5 feet in length. The moose likes to eat vegetation and typically does not travel in herds.

Dave Grickson, USFWS

Mountain Goat

The mountain goat lives up to their name and resides in the mountains of Colorado. Male goats can weigh up to 250 pounds, while females are typically smaller. Mountain goats like to eat various vegetation.

Larry Moats, USFWS

Mountain Lion

Mountain lions are Colorado's biggest cat and weigh up to 130 pounds or more. The mountain lion makes it home in the foothills, canyons, or mesa country of Colorado. Deer is the preferential diet of the Mountain lion.

Jessica Bolser, USFWS

Muskrat

While they make look fat and fluffy, Muskrats only weigh about 2 pounds and are 26 inches long. Muskrats are voles and make their home at marshes, ponds and slow streams.

John and Karen Hollingsworth, USFWS

Armadillo

Armadillos are newcomers to the area and have been spotted in Eastern Colorado. The armadillo likes to reside in the woodlands in river valleys. An armadillos diet usually consists of insects, worms, slugs, fruits, eggs, and some carrion.

George Harrison, USFWS

Kangaroo Rat

These little critters only weigh about 2.5 ounces thanks to their diet of mainly seeds and a bit of insects. The Kangoo rat is commonly found in the eastern plains, the San Luis Valley, and the major valleys of the Western Slope.

Tom Koerner, USFWS

Porcupine

Porcupines enjoy feasting on herbs and tree bark and usually weigh up to 33 pounds. The porcupine can be found, "throughout Colorado in wooded and brushy habitats but probably are most common in woodlands of ponderosa or pinyon pine." With 15,000-30,000 quills the porcupine is good at protecting itself.

Tom Koerner, USFWS

Pronghorn

Nope, not an antelope, it's a Pronghorn! The Pronghorn likes to live in the grasslands where they eat different vegetation. The Pronghorn is typically about 3 feet in height and will weigh approximately 85-100 pounds.

Bill Buchanan, USFWS

Raccoon

These masked bandits can be found throughout Colorado and usually weigh 8-22 pounds. The raccoon isn't picky and likes to eat a vast array of things.

USFWS

River Otter

The river otter is a member of the weasel family and the longest one coming in at 3 to 4 1/2 feet. River otters have been hard to come by, but usually would make their home along streams and abandoned bank dens. The river otter will eat crayfish, frogs, fish, young muskrats, and beavers.

Grayson Smith, USFWS

Skunk

There are 4 different species of Skunk that can be found around Colorado. Skunks eat carrion, mice, fruit, insects, larvae, birds and bird eggs.

Steve Hillebrand, USFWS

Opossum

The opossum likes to roam around Eastern Colorado snacking on insects, fruits, seeds and birds’ eggs. The opossum can weigh up to 7.5 pounds and stretch as long as 2 feet.

Steve Hillebrand, USFWS

Weasel

While there are 8 different kinds of weasels in Colorado, only 2 are just called a regular ol' weasel. Depending on the two main varieties of weasel, they'll either be found at the edge of the forest or in the mountain forests and meadows. Weasels like to eat mice, shrews, chipmunks, small ground squirrels, nestling rabbits, and ground-nesting birds. 

B. Moose Peterson, USFWS

Woodrat

The woodrat is usually 12 inches long and weighs about 4.5 ounces, but different variations can grow to 16 inches long and weigh 11 ounces. You'll find woodrats living in the rough, broken terrain of canyon and mesa walls of the Colorado Plateau.

James C Leupold, USFWS

Marmot

This seemingly chunky critter is the largest member of the ground squirrel family. Marmots can weigh up to 11 pounds and grow 26 inches in length. The marmot dines on flowering stalks and leaves of a variety of grasses and forbs.