The only bear species currently residing in Colorado is the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). Despite the name, these bears display various coat colors, including brown, cinnamon, and blond. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is the state agency responsible for managing this population. Understanding the distribution and total number of these animals is a foundational step in effective wildlife management across the state.
The Official Population Count
The most current estimate provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife places the statewide population of American Black Bears within a range of 17,000 to 20,000 individuals. This figure represents the total number of black bears across the state’s available habitat. The population estimate is intentionally presented as a range, rather than a single fixed number, because wildlife populations are dynamic and subject to constant fluctuation. Natural events, such as annual changes in food availability, affect reproductive success and survival rates. The range is derived from sophisticated modeling that incorporates data collected over multi-year periods. This number refers exclusively to the American Black Bear, as the larger Grizzly Bear population was hunted to extinction in Colorado decades ago.
Methods Used to Determine Bear Populations
Wildlife biologists cannot conduct a traditional census by simply counting every individual bear across the vast, rugged terrain of Colorado. Instead, CPW relies on advanced, non-invasive scientific techniques to estimate the population size. One of the primary methods employed is genetic sampling, often referred to as DNA hair snagging. This process involves setting up barbed wire corrals around bait stations to collect hair samples as bears cross the wire to reach the attractant.
The collected hair contains DNA, allowing researchers to identify individual bears and their sex, essentially creating a genetic fingerprint for each animal sampled. This genetic data is then utilized in complex statistical models, known as mark-recapture studies, to estimate the total population size within specific management areas. CPW also uses GPS satellite collars on captured bears in localized studies to track movements, understand feeding patterns, and gather data on social behavior, which further refines the population modeling. The combination of genetic data and movement tracking provides a robust basis for the statewide population estimate.
Geographic Distribution Across Colorado
The American Black Bear population is not uniformly spread throughout the state but is instead concentrated within specific, favorable habitat zones. The majority of the state’s bear population resides in the western half of Colorado, particularly within the extensive mountain corridors and national forests. Areas rich in Gambel’s oak and aspen, coupled with thickets of chokecherry and serviceberry bushes, form the core of the bear’s preferred range. These plant communities provide the dense cover and abundant natural food sources necessary for bears to build up fat reserves before winter hibernation.
Local bear density is heavily influenced by the availability of these seasonal food items, such as acorns and berries, which make up over 90% of a bear’s natural diet. When natural food crops are poor due to environmental factors, bears often move to lower elevations and closer to human development in search of sustenance. The highest concentrations are found in the rugged, food-rich landscapes of the Western Slope and parts of the northern mountains.