Rereading what you posted. The best way I've been able to describe a golden mantel ground squirrel is chipmunk on steroids. There are warning signs about them down in Mesa Verde Park: Don't dangle your car keys at them. I'm guessing they've had a few visitors dumb enough to do so and the squirrels then steal the keys and scurry off storing them in their den. "Woot! The human gave me their Chevy!"