Overview
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife tallied 5,259 sightings and conflicts through Dec. 1, surpassing 2024’s 4,996 and exceeding the seven-year average of 4,583.
- The agency says most reports involve bears seeking unsecured trash, bird seed, pet food, or poorly managed livestock near homes and businesses.
- Urban areas saw notable increases, with significant upticks around Colorado Springs and Pueblo linked to waste and livestock practices.
- CPW estimates 17,000 to 20,000 bears statewide and warns that food availability can keep them active through winter, prolonging conflict risks.
- In September, CPW awarded roughly $1 million to schools, municipalities, and fire departments to improve bear-resistant trash and recycling infrastructure.