We were in the Hills at Cottonwood for a few years, my wife was there since 2001. She used to do the bike path loop over by American Furniture that leads under 470 and back on Chambers. She said she used to always see them (rattlers) sunning on rocks by that bridge under 470. It also seems to be a mostly dry creek that is fed year round by a spring. I think it's more about the water/shade aspect. I walked my dogs almost everyday for the last few years along that horse pasture that is now exploding with houses and never saw a single serpent.

Our new place in Franktown, we've had 2 large bull snakes show up by the pool a few times and just yesterday while I was out, the wife saw a garner snake in the Koi pond. Again, I think it's the water.

Remember, about 3-4 years ago there was a black bear along Cherry Creek trail and a month ago there was a mountain lion in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby.