Yes, black bears (Ursus americanus) are present in the greater Denver metropolitan area, particularly in communities bordering the Rocky Mountain foothills. While these animals do not typically establish permanent residence in the downtown core, sightings occur regularly in the western suburbs and adjacent counties. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) manages these frequent human-wildlife encounters. Understanding the bear’s presence and behavior is important for residents in this region.
Geographical Reality of Bear Presence
The bear population in Colorado consists solely of American black bears, which despite their name, can exhibit coats of blonde, cinnamon, or brown coloration. These animals inhabit the forests and foothills immediately west of Denver, a zone known as the urban/wildland interface. This area includes suburbs and counties like Golden, Evergreen, Morrison, Jefferson, and Douglas Counties.
The proximity of Denver’s expanding development to the bear’s natural habitat makes occasional sightings inevitable. Bears follow natural corridors and riparian areas, which sometimes lead them into established suburban neighborhoods. They rarely venture into the dense urban center because the habitat is unsuitable.
Bears are most active from mid-March through early November before they enter their winter slumber. The increasing overlap between human expansion and natural territory means that human-bear conflicts are a consistent concern for CPW.
Primary Reasons Bears Venture into Urban Areas
The primary factor driving black bears into residential zones is their intense biological need to consume calories. Bears possess an incredibly sensitive nose, capable of smelling food sources up to five miles away, and constantly seek the highest calorie reward for the least effort. This natural foraging drive is amplified in the fall during hyperphagia, when bears must consume up to 20,000 calories daily to prepare for hibernation.
Natural food sources like berries, nuts, and grasses can be unreliable due to drought. When natural food is scarce, bears are quickly drawn to reliable, high-calorie attractants inadvertently provided by humans. These attractants include unsecured trash, pet food left outdoors, and bird feeders, which offer a dense and effortless meal.
Habitat fragmentation caused by increased residential development pushes the bears’ foraging routes closer to homes. Once a bear successfully finds human-provided food, it quickly loses its natural wariness, becoming “food-conditioned.” This conditioning leads the bear to return repeatedly to the human environment, escalating the potential for conflict and property damage.
Immediate Safety Protocols During an Encounter
Encountering a black bear requires specific actions to ensure both human and animal safety. If a bear is seen nearby, never run, as this action can trigger a chase response. Remain calm and identify yourself as human by speaking in a firm, calm voice.
The goal is to appear non-threatening but non-vulnerable. Slowly wave your arms above your head to look larger. If you are with small children or pets, pick them up immediately. Back away slowly and sideways to avoid tripping while keeping the bear in view, always leaving the bear an escape route.
If the bear approaches or acts defensively, stand your ground and make loud noise by yelling, clapping, or using an air horn. Bear spray, a highly concentrated capsaicin-based deterrent, should be deployed only if the bear is within about 40 feet and continues to approach. If the bear makes physical contact, fight back vigorously, concentrating blows on the face and muzzle, as black bears rarely engage in predatory attacks on people.
Strategies for Residential Prevention and Coexistence
Coexistence with bears in the Denver area depends heavily on the proactive removal of attractants from residential properties. The single most effective measure is securing trash, which is the number one attractant for bears. Residents should use certified bear-proof containers or store trash inside a secured garage or shed until the morning of collection.
Bird feeders must be removed during the bear activity season, which runs from April to November. Other outdoor food sources, such as pet food, livestock feed, and fallen fruit, should also be removed or secured to discourage foraging.
Outdoor grills and smokers must be cleaned immediately after use to eliminate residual food odors. Locking ground-floor windows and doors, including those on vehicles, prevents a curious or food-conditioned bear from gaining access. Consistent application of these strategies is necessary because a bear that becomes a habitual nuisance due to human negligence may ultimately be euthanized by wildlife officials.