CPW offers $1 million to reduce human-bear conflicts
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) recently opened a new round of grant funding to provide Colorado communities with resources to reduce human-bear conflicts. “By utilizing human-bear conflict avoidance grants, and investing in conflict reduction strategies we can reduce property damage and help Coloradans and bears successfully coexist in our high country, and across the state,” said Gov. Jared Polis. Wildlife managers estimate that Colorado has between 17,000-20,000 bears, and the population is stable and growing. Of the 5,022 bear reports CPW received in 2024, more than 2,200 resulted in property damage to sheds, garages, homes, vehicles and fences. Over 50% were linked to trash cans and dumpsters as an attractant.This year, CPW is offering $1 million for projects that reduce conflicts with black bears in local communities. This grant program strives to foster innovative solutions to human-bear conflict that can be replicated in other parts of the state. The funding will be distributed through a competitive grant process this spring. Funding for the program was first made available through House Bill 21-1326, which passed the General Assembly and was signed by Polis in 2021. This program was so popular and successful that, in partnership with Polis, CPW decided to continue it. Local governments, NGOs, HOAs, community groups, businesses, tribes, universities and individuals are all eligible to receive funding. Applicants can apply for grants between $50,000 and $500,000. Eligible projects include those that:
• Reduce the availability of attractants to black bears in communities experiencing human-bear conflict or disincentivizing black bears from entering areas of high conflict (i.e. hazing).
• Have local community support, or detailed plans to build local support.
• Are cost-effective investments that have the potential to last beyond the funding time frame (such as bear-proof trash cans).
• Utilize proven techniques for preventing conflict, or explore an innovation with a promise to prevent conflict.
Applications are available on CPW’s website and are due by May 30, 2025, at 5 p.m. For questions or application assistance, please contact CPW grant manager Travis Long at travis.long@state.co.us. (Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.)
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) recently opened a new round of grant funding to provide Colorado communities with resources to reduce human-bear conflicts.
“By utilizing human-bear conflict avoidance grants, and investing in conflict reduction strategies we can reduce property damage and help Coloradans and bears successfully coexist in our high country, and across the state,” said Gov. Jared Polis.
Wildlife managers estimate that Colorado has between 17,000-20,000 bears, and the population is stable and growing. Of the 5,022 bear reports CPW received in 2024, more than 2,200 resulted in property damage to sheds, garages, homes, vehicles and fences. Over 50% were linked to trash cans and dumpsters as an attractant.
This year, CPW is offering $1 million for projects that reduce conflicts with black bears in local communities. This grant program strives to foster innovative solutions to human-bear conflict that can be replicated in other parts of the state. The funding will be distributed through a competitive grant process this spring.
Funding for the program was first made available through House Bill 21-1326, which passed the General Assembly and was signed by Polis in 2021. This program was so popular and successful that, in partnership with Polis, CPW decided to continue it. Local governments, NGOs, HOAs, community groups, businesses, tribes, universities and individuals are all eligible to receive funding. Applicants can apply for grants between $50,000 and $500,000.
Eligible projects include those that:
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