Black bears are present in Breckenridge, Colorado. This mountain town, nestled within their natural habitat, frequently sees residents and visitors encountering bears as they forage in and around human-populated areas.
Bear Presence and Local Habitat
Breckenridge’s environment, characterized by expansive forests and mountainous terrain, provides a natural home for black bears. They are primarily found in forested areas with abundant natural food sources like berries, nuts, and vegetation. However, bears are also drawn to human-provided food sources, including unsecured trash, pet food, and bird feeders, which offer easily accessible calories. Black bears are active from mid-March or April through early November, emerging from hibernation as spring approaches. During late summer and fall, they enter hyperphagia, consuming up to 20,000 calories daily to build fat reserves for winter hibernation.
Preventing Encounters
Preventing bear encounters begins with securing potential food attractants. Store trash in bear-resistant containers or inside a secure building until pickup. Remove bird feeders between March and November, and store pet food indoors. Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after each use, and pick up fallen fruit. Never intentionally feed bears, as this habituates them to humans and often leads to their removal or euthanasia.
Safe Practices During an Encounter
If you encounter a bear, avoid running, as this can trigger a chase response. Instead, stand still, make yourself appear as large as possible by waving your arms overhead, and speak in a calm, firm voice to identify yourself as human. Slowly back away, giving the bear an escape route, and continue to watch its behavior. If a black bear charges or makes contact, fight back, targeting its face and muzzle. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it can provide an effective deterrent in close-range encounters.
Community Measures and Regulations
The Town of Breckenridge has implemented ordinances to manage human-bear interactions. These regulations require residents and businesses to store garbage in wildlife-resistant containers. Trash should only be placed curbside on the day of pickup, typically between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Non-compliance with these rules can result in fines, reflecting the community’s commitment to wildlife coexistence. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) actively works with the town to educate the public and manage bear populations, responding to calls about bears accessing human food sources.