Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges residents to bring pumpkins indoors at night

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is advising residents to bring pumpkins indoors at night to prevent attracting wildlife. Officials noted that pumpkins serve as a high-fiber, vitamin-rich food source for animals, particularly bears, which are currently in a period of increased feeding known as hyperphagia.

CPW reports that bears have been observed entering yards and even grocery stores to consume pumpkins. Beyond bears, leaving pumpkins outside can attract deer, raccoons, and potentially mountain lions. To mitigate these risks, officials recommend placing pumpkins in windows or bringing them inside after dark.

Additionally, CPW suggests that holiday decorations should be placed higher than six feet or tied securely to prevent animals from becoming entangled, which can impair their mobility and vision. The agency notes that limiting access to human-provided food sources may encourage bears to den sooner.