CPW reports above-average number of bear conflicts statewide

Statewide, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) received 5,259 bear reports between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2025, marking a slight increase from the 4,996 reports during the same period in 2024. This year’s total ranks as the highest since 5,392 in 2019, the year CPW launched a digital report tracking system, and exceeds the seven-year average of 4,583 bear-related conflicts and sightings reported to CPW.

There are an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 bears in Colorado and every year the majority of incident reports involve bears trying to access human food sources. While the last two months of the year see relatively few reports, CPW continues to call on residents to remove attractants to reduce conflicts, keeping citizens and the bears safe.

Reports of bear sightings and conflicts in Colorado have been increasing steadily the past three years.

In the Gunnison area, the 2025 numbers are more in line with an average year, according to area 16 wildlife manager Brandon Diamond.

“We weren’t as bad as some other parts of the state, so I would consider this an average conflict year,” he said. “Natural foods were spotty and it was a dry summer with fire activity to our west, but bears found enough natural foods to mostly get by. We continue to have the same conflict issues of trash, bird feeders and poorly managed campsites. But we also had too many instances of people not reporting issues until bears were highly habituated. It is hard to manage issues when a bear has already been allowed to repeatedly break into cars and structures. We encourage our communities to report conflicts early so we can proactively manage a situation without having to trap and move bears. We need to get those calls sooner.”

Bear reports received, Jan. 1 - Dec. 1:

2022: 4,271 statewide

2023: 3,488 statewide

2024: 4,996 statewide

2025: 5,259 statewide

Wildlife managers continue to encourage residents to report bears seen in urban areas to their local wildlife office. CPW can provide people with additional tips and advice for how to make their homes less attractive to bears.

Food availability is a major driver of bears slowing their activity during the winter months. If food remains available due to people not securing their trash, bird seed, pet food, etc., bears will remain active year-round.

As a member of BearWise, CPW encourages everyone to share BearWise information with their neighbors and communities to help prevent conflicts with bears. CPW asks all residents and visitors to help save Colorado’s bears by being actively bear prepared throughout the year. Human-bear conflicts are most often traced back to human behavior. Living BearWise is the most effective way to prevent human-caused conflicts with bears.

As a member of BearWise, CPW encourages everyone to share BearWise information with their neighbors and communities to help prevent conflicts with bears. CPW asks all residents and visitors to help save Colorado’s bears by being actively bear prepared throughout the year. Human-bear conflicts are most often traced back to human behavior. Living BearWise is the most effective way to prevent human-caused conflicts with bears.

Here are six at-home BearWise basics:

● Never feed or approach bears. Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs!

● Secure food, garbage and recycling. Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food, liquids or garbage.

● Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears.

● Never leave pet food outdoors. Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove food and bowls after feeding. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it.

● Clean and store grills. Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.

● Alert neighbors to bear activity. See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? Tell your neighbors and share information on how to prevent conflicts with bears. Bears have adapted to living near people; now it’s up to us to adapt to living near bears.

CPW also provides local Colorado communities with financial resources through its Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant Program, which supports efforts to reduce human-bear conflicts. This spring, CPW offered up to $1 million in grants distributed through a competitive process.