Colorado Drought Triggers Surge in Human-Bear Conflicts

Severe drought conditions across Colorado have driven a sharp rise in bear activity and human‑bear interactions. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported a 68% increase in bear reports for the first seven months of 2026 compared with the previous year.

In Routt County, reports jumped 219% over 2025, while Pitkin and Garfield counties saw increases of 32% and 15% respectively. Property‑damage incidents rose 56% in Pitkin County. Agency officials, including senior terrestrial biologist Brad Banulis and wildlife managers Kris Middledorf and Matt Yamashita, said the drought has limited natural forage, forcing bears into residential areas in search of food. Community leaders such as Christy Bubenheim warned that bears are entering vehicles, homes and trash cans more frequently, turning wildlife management into a public‑safety issue.