Colorado is home to a healthy and widespread bear population. The only bear species present in the state is the American Black Bear, with an estimated population ranging from 17,000 to 20,000 animals. As both human population and development expand into bear habitat, the number of human-bear conflicts has been steadily increasing. This rise in encounters is primarily linked to bears accessing human-provided food sources, making proper awareness and preventative actions necessary for residents and visitors.
The Bear Species and Distribution in Colorado
The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is the sole bear species found in Colorado; the larger Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) was extirpated from the state in 1979. Despite the common name, black bears in Colorado are often not black, with a significant portion exhibiting coats that are brown, cinnamon, or blonde. This color variation frequently causes them to be mistaken for grizzlies, but black bears lack the prominent shoulder hump and dished facial profile characteristic of the extirpated species.
Adult males (boars) typically average around 275 pounds, while females (sows) average about 175 pounds, though individuals can weigh between 100 and 450 pounds depending on the season. Their range is extensive, spanning from the state’s foothills up into the high mountains and forested riparian areas. These bears prefer areas rich with Gambel’s oak, chokecherry, and aspen, but they are increasingly found in urban and suburban interfaces where food is readily available.
Minimizing Attractants Near Homes and Campsites
The most effective way to prevent conflicts is by managing potential food sources, which often requires humans to change their behavior. Unsecured trash is the number one attractant, and over half of all bear-related property damage is linked to it. Therefore, trash should be stored in a secured building, shed, or a certified bear-resistant container, and only put out on the morning of collection.
Other common attractants must be removed or secured, especially during the active bear season, which runs from mid-March through early November. Bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders, should be taken down during this period, as they provide a high-calorie, easily accessible reward. Similarly, pet food should never be left outdoors, and outdoor grills must be thoroughly cleaned of grease and food residue immediately after use.
For those camping or backpacking, strict food storage protocols are necessary to avoid habituating bears to human food. In developed campgrounds, all food, trash, and scented items, including toiletries, must be stored in bear-resistant lockers, if provided, or locked inside a hard-sided vehicle.
In the backcountry, many popular areas, such as Rocky Mountain National Park and the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, legally require the use of hard-sided, bear-resistant canisters for all food and garbage. Backpackers utilizing soft-sided, bear-resistant bags must still check local regulations, as some US Forest Service districts along trails like the Colorado Trail require them to be hung like traditional food bags, despite manufacturer instructions. As a rule, all cooking, eating, and food storage should occur at least 100 yards away from the sleeping area to minimize the risk of a bear entering a tent.
Protocols for Bear Encounters
While proactive prevention is the primary strategy, knowing how to react when a bear is sighted is also necessary for safety. If a bear is spotted in the distance on a trail, the best practice is to make your presence known by speaking in a firm voice and slowly moving away from the animal. Never run, as this can trigger a bear’s chase instinct, and avoid wearing headphones that might prevent you from hearing an approaching bear.
In a close-range encounter, such as in a yard or near a campsite, the goal is to haze the bear and encourage it to leave. Stand your ground, make yourself look as large as possible, and yell, clap, or use an air horn to scare the animal away. It is important to ensure the bear has an unobstructed escape route, as a cornered bear may become defensive.
Black bear attacks are exceedingly rare, and they seldom display the defensive charge behavior of a grizzly bear. If a black bear does make physical contact, it is not a bluff, and you should fight back immediately and aggressively using anything available. All sightings of bears in urban or suburban areas, especially those accessing human food or acting aggressively, should be reported to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to assist in monitoring and management efforts.