[REVISION HISTORY]

Colorado bear-human conflict reaches record levels

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-31 22:24 UTC → 2026-09-11 05:39 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By late August 2026, the surge in human-bear conflicts in Colorado reached critical levels. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reported ~~that the state has seen~~ over 7,000 incidents this year, driven by the worst natural forage conditions for bears since 2008. Environmental stressors, including historic low snowpack, prolonged drought, late spring freezes, and wildfires, have severely limited the development of essential nuts, seeds, and berries. These shortages have forced bears into hyperphagia, a state requiring near-constant feeding to build fat reserves for winter. This has pushed wildlife toward river and canal corridors, increasing their presence near roadways and urban areas. In Garfield County, bear-related vehicle collisions have risen sharply, with 39 recorded deaths so far in 2026 compared to just one in the previous year. ~~CPW~~ By early September, the impact of these shortages became increasingly visible in urban centers. In Glenwood Springs, officials ~~warn~~ reported that approximately 16 bears wander through the town on any given day, frequently accessing trash and approaching humans, pets, and livestock. In response, Glenwood Springs has implemented strict trash disposal ordinances and heavy fines, though some residents have expressed frustration regarding these penalties. Management efforts are further complicated by CPW staffing shortages. The dangers of unsecured attractants ~~like trash cans~~ were highlighted in Durango, where a black bear was euthanized after a necropsy revealed its stomach and upper intestine were “completely blocked by trash.” CPW officials continue to warn that such incidents create a “dangerous feedback loop” that habituates bears to human ~~environments. Authorities continue to urge residents to secure all food sources to mitigate safety risks~~ environments and ~~prevent bears from losing their natural wariness of humans.~~ leads to fatal encounters.

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