Technician in a protective suit spraying a ceiling in an empty room. Used to illustrate this step; it is not a photo of a job connected to this site.
A neighborhood with two kinds of houses
The park itself, with its lakes, flower gardens and old trees, anchors a neighborhood of tree-lined streets, alleys and backyards that offer skunks food and cover. Around it, the housing has changed a lot over the past couple of decades. Many original early-twentieth-century bungalows, Denver Squares and brick cottages remain, often with raised front porches, partial basements, crawlspaces under rear additions and detached garages on the alley. Mixed in are newer homes, some built after an older house was scraped, others the result of large pop-top additions.
Those two house types tend to have different skunk problems. Older houses offer more ways in at ground level: porch bases, loose foundation vents, settled stoops. Newer houses usually have tighter foundations but deeper window wells around full finished basements, and those wells are where skunk encounters often happen. Inside, an older house leaks odor in through many small gaps, while a newer, tighter house can hold onto odor once it gets in, especially if it has a fresh-air ventilation system with an intake near the spray.
Older versus newer Washington Park houses
| Feature | Original houses | Newer and rebuilt houses |
|---|---|---|
| Likely den sites | Under raised porches, stoops, rear additions | Under decks and in landscaped beds |
| Window wells | Shallow, often uncovered | Deep egress wells serving finished basements |
| How odor gets in | Many small gaps, loose windows, open vents | Window wells, fresh-air intakes, garage doors |
| Air system | Older ductwork, sometimes unsealed returns | Tighter ducts; may have mechanical ventilation |
| What holds odor | Porch framing, crawlspace insulation, plaster | Carpeted basements, upholstered furniture |
| Typical first step | Check the porch and foundation openings | Check window wells and the air intake location |
Washington Park checklist
- Walk the alley side as well as the street side; detached garages and alley fences are common skunk routes
- On original houses, inspect porch skirting, foundation vents and any rear addition's crawlspace
- On newer houses, cover deep window wells while keeping egress windows usable
- Find where any fresh-air intake is located and whether it is near a deck or bed
- Pick up fruit under backyard trees and keep carts along the alley closed
- If the house is undergoing construction next door, expect displaced skunks looking for a new den
- For building permits or questions about altering a historic porch, check with Denver's Community Planning and Development
Common questions
Do skunks come from the park itself?
Skunks range widely and use parks, alleys and yards alike. The park's trees and grounds add habitat, but most den sites are under structures on residential lots.
Does nearby construction affect skunks?
Demolition of an older house can remove den sites under porches and sheds, and displaced animals look for new ones nearby. It is a good time to check that your own openings are closed.
General information for Washington Park, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.