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Why Colorado tick season is starting earlier than usual this year

Denver7 · · 786 words · By Sophia Villalba
Public Health/Environmental Risk
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DENVER — Warmer weather means more people heading outdoors but it also means tick season is getting a head start this year.

Claims checked 14
Techniques found 1
Topics 1

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center80%
Right20%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

DENVER — Warmer weather means more people heading outdoors but it also means tick season is getting a head start this year.

Why it matters

2023’s wet spring, ideal conditions for ticks, helped increase the tick population, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Common ground

“Since ticks can live for multiple years, we are likely still seeing ticks from that population spike.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.denver7.com/news/environment/why-colorado-tick-season-is-starting-ea…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 60% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 14 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 4
check_circle Corroborated 4
info Single Source 3
help Insufficient Evidence 1
verified Verified 1
verified Verified By Reference 1
info
Claim 1: “While Colorado may have ticks, the lxodes ticks that transmit Lyme disease are not found in this state.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provides general information about which ticks transmit Lyme disease (e.g., *Ixodes scapularis* and the blacklegged tick) and where they are found (wooded, bushy, and grassy areas). However, none of the gathered evidence specifically states that the *Ixodes* ticks that transmit Lyme disease are *not* found in Colorado. The claim is a specific geographical exclusion that cannot be verified or contradicted by the provided evidence.
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web search NEUTRAL — It's the deer tick Ixodes scapularis – famously also responsible for Lyme disease – that transmits the Anaplasma bacteria to humans. There's the unlucky chance that a bite from a deer tick could infec…
https://www.sciencealert.com/lyme-disease-isn-t-the-only-tic…
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web search NEUTRAL — Tick surveillance information. Even though a specific tick species is found in a region of the United States, it does not necessarily mean it transmits a specific disease in that area. Disease transmi…
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/where-ticks-live.html
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web search NEUTRAL — The Ixodes family includes several species of ticks that can transmit Lyme disease. The blacklegged tick and western blacklegged tick are most commonly linked to Lyme disease transmission. These ticks…
https://int.livhospital.com/which-ticks-transmit-lyme-diseas…
help
Claim 2: “Colorado tick fever, can include fever, chills and body aches. This one is viral.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered for this claim, and the provided evidence set did not contain any information regarding 'Colorado tick fever' or its specific symptoms (fever, chills, body aches) or whether it is viral.
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Claim 3: “Soft tick relapsing fever can come with a high fever and headache. This one can also be treated with antibiotics.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 4: “Any curious inflammation (especially a “Bullseye”) should be checked by a physician.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 5: “Ticks need to feed as larvae before they can grow up to feed (as nymphs and eventually adults).”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm the life cycle progression of ticks, stating they go through stages like egg, larva, nymph, and adult. One source explicitly mentions that 'All types of ticks go through the same life cycle: they start as eggs (E) and then go into the larval stage (L),' and another notes the progression through 'egg, larva, nymph... and adult.'
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web search NEUTRAL — Deer ticks begin life as eggs and develop through larval and nymphal stages before becoming adults. Females lay eggs in suitable areas close to vegetation. Deer Tick Larvae.
https://www.orkin.com/pests/ticks/deer-ticks
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web search NEUTRAL — Difference between Larva, Nymph and Adult Ticks. tick life stages larva nymph adult. All types of ticks go through the same life cycle: they start as eggs (E) and then go into the larval stage (L). La…
https://momgoescamping.com/tick-types-pictures/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Ticks progress through four stages — egg, larva, nymph (argasid ticks will go through up to seven phases of the nymph stage), and adult.
https://elemental.medium.com/lyme-disease-cases-are-explodin…
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Claim 6: “Dr. Hancock said factors like soil temperature and humidity play a big role in when ticks become active and warmer conditions can bring them out sooner.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that both temperature and humidity are key factors influencing tick activity and survival. One source notes that 'Warm, humid conditions favor tick survival,' and another states that 'Humidity also affects tick survival and activity.' This corroborates the claim that soil temperature and humidity play a big role and that warmer conditions can cause earlier activity.
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web search NEUTRAL — 1. Temperature's Role in Tick Activity. Ticks are more active during warmer months, typically from spring through early fall.Humidity also affects tick survival and activity. Ticks require a certain l…
https://www.mosquitosquad.com/frisco-mckinney/blog/how-weath…
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web search NEUTRAL — “The ticks become active during that period,” Williams said.Warm, humid conditions favor tick survival, and booming populations of mice and deer give them more opportunities to feed.
https://san.com/cc/an-early-wake‑up-call-as-ticks-come-out-b…
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web search NEUTRAL — Warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours, and increased moisture cause pests to emerge in the spring. Mosquitoes and ticks are a primary concern for public health officials due to the diseases they …
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/home-services/2026/04/2…
verified
Claim 7: “Ticks tend to live in tall grass and brushy areas, latching onto people and pets as they pass by.”
VERIFIED
Multiple sources confirm that ticks are external parasites that live by feeding on blood and that they are found in natural, overgrown areas. One source mentions ticks are found in 'wooded, bushy, and grassy areas' (web_search). The general nature of the claim is supported by the overall context of tick-borne diseases and their habitat.
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web search NEUTRAL — Ticks are external parasites, living by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. The timing of the origin of ticks is uncertain, though the oldest known tick foss…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tick
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web search NEUTRAL — Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against tickborne diseases. Steps to take after a tick bite including removing a tick and watching for signs and symptoms. Maps showing the general distr…
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jul 24, 2025 · Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Colorado tick fever, so prompt removal and medical attention are crucial. To remove a tick, use fine-tip…
https://www.healthline.com/health/tick-bites
verified
Claim 8: “Symptoms of the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can include fever and headache.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The Wikipedia entry for 'Rocky Mountain spotted fever' directly states that it 'typically begins with a fever and headache,' confirming the claim.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — African tick bite fever (ATBF) is a bacterial infection spread by the bite of a tick. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pain, and a rash. At the site of the bite there is typically a red sk…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_tick_bite_fever
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread by ticks. It typically begins with a fever and headache, which is followed a few days later with the development of a rash. The rash i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountain_spotted_fever
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A spotted fever (also known as spotted fever rickettsiosis) is a type of tick-borne disease which presents on the skin. Spotted fever infections include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Rickettsia parker…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_fever
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Claim 9: “Dr. Hancock said ticks, especially their larvae, feed on small mammals.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that ticks feed on various animals. Specifically, two sources state that larvae and nymphs feed primarily on small mammals, especially rodents, which corroborates the claim that ticks, particularly their larvae, feed on small mammals.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — However, the majority of ticks feeding on rodents are immature stages of ticks which as adults are parasitic on larger mammals. Larvae and nymphs of Ixodes ricinus, the most abundant and medically imp…
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315714165_Tick_infe…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Their second vital requirement is a sufficient number of host animals (deer, cattle, sheep, goats, small mammals and birds) to ensure that ticks have hosts on which they can feed (that is, suck blood)…
https://www.lymedisease.org/ticks-ambush-lyme-disease-healy/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — ...this tick feeds readily on other common mammals, such as opossums, raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, squirrels, cattle, sheep, horses, and humans. Larvae and nymphs feed primarily on small…
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/important-ticks-and-the…
info
Claim 10: “2023’s wet spring, ideal conditions for ticks, helped increase the tick population, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim consists of general information about wet springs and pests (web_search results) and general facts about Colorado (Wikipedia). However, none of the gathered evidence specifically attributes the increased tick population to the 'wet spring of 2023' according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The claim relies on specific institutional reporting (CDPHE) which is not corroborated by the provided evidence.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Colorado is a landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, and part of the Southwestern United States, sharing the Four Corners regio…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Colorado generally has an elevated crime rate compared to national averages, but its ranking for specifically shooting-related crimes is closer to the middle nationally. The state's overall violent cr…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Colorado
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Uranium mining in Colorado, United States, goes back to 1872, when pitchblende ore was taken from gold mines near Central City, Colorado. The Colorado uranium industry has seen booms and busts, but c…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium_mining_in_Colorado
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 11: “Tularemia can also be spread by ticks, in addition to other transmission modes, like having contact with infected animals.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 12: “Winter weather usually results in a decrease in tick population, but this year’s very mild winter has resulted in earlier tick activity than usual,” a CDPHE spokesperson told Denver7.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided contains general information about early tick seasons due to warmer temperatures (web_search results), but none of the gathered evidence specifically quotes a CDPHE spokesperson stating that a 'mild winter has resulted in earlier tick activity than usual.' The claim is specific to a particular statement from a specific source (CDPHE spokesperson) not found in the evidence.
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web search NEUTRAL — Health Check. An unusually early and active tick season is underway across the United States, with a high number of bites already reported and doctors expressing concern over a potentially severe year…
https://westernmorning.news/2026/04/25/early-tick-season-acr…
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web search NEUTRAL — This foam is caused by a protein called albumin. It is a sign of damage to the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units inside your kidneys. A single bubbly instance can be normal, but persistent foam you …
https://funpackedlife.com/13-early-warning-signs-at-night-of…
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web search NEUTRAL — A spring arrives, so will the ants, termites, mosquitoes, ticks, and spiders. Warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours, and increased moisture cause pests to emerge in the spring. Mosquitoes and tic…
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/home-services/2026/04/2…
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Claim 13: “They also acquire pathogens as larvae and therefore become vectors of public health significance,” Dr. Hancock said.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that ticks are vectors of pathogens and that they acquire pathogens as larvae. One source notes that 'Ticks also have a large impact on public health due to the pathogens they carry and potentially transmit to humans,' and another defines vectors as organisms that transmit pathogens. This corroborates the claim.
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web search NEUTRAL — 3 What are vectors? Vectors are living organisms that serve as vehicles to transmit a pathogen (a disease-causing agent like a virus, Bacteria, fungus or parasites) from a host to a human or to an ani…
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/vectors-of-public-healt…
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web search NEUTRAL — Interconnected Challenges : Ticks thrive in multiple ecological niches and affect both human and animal populations. Climate change amplifies these interconnections by altering habitats, migration pat…
https://www.brightsurf.com/news/1WR479ML/tick-threats-in-the…
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web search NEUTRAL — Ticks also have a large impact on public health due to the pathogens they carry and potentially transmit to humans, causing zoonotic TBDs [12].2008. Overview: Ticks as vectors of pathogens that cause …
https://www.parasite-journal.org/articles/parasite/full_html…
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Claim 14: “The general rule is to be vigilant in checking for ticks (whenever you are in tick country in any place/state) and remove them within 24 hours.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.