Stray rats running around debris-filled streets or scampering down darkened alleyways may be associated with big cities and heavily-trafficked tourist destinations, but rodent problems can be found in cities all over the country — including in Colorado.

Pest control company Terminix compiled a list of the Top 50 rodent-infested cities around America, and among the ranking that includes cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles is one right here in Colorado: Denver. The Centennial State's capital city ranked No. 13 overall. Fortunately for Colorado residents, that was the state's only city included on the list.

These are the 10 most rodent-infested cities in America, according to Terminix:

New York City, New York
San Francisco, California
Los Angeles, California
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Washington, DC
Chicago, Illinois
Houston, Texas
Boston, Massachusetts
Dallas, Texas
Atlanta, Georgia

Terminix gave insight into the factors that influenced which cities rank among the most rodent-infested in the country:

"The cities with the most rats and mice are usually determined by factors such as sanitation practices, food waste access, and suitable habitats. These rodents can cause significant property damage and can be a serious public health concern in many urban areas, which may make you wonder, what city has the most rats or mice?"

Check out the full report at Terminix.com to see which other cities in the U.S. have a rodent problem.

Trevor Hall

with the Colorado Symphony