Colorado Black Bear Dies in Unlocked Car as Sightings Jump to 6,129
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 19
Colorado Black Bear Dies in Unlocked Car as Sightings Jump to 6,129
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 19
Summary
A 300-pound black bear was found dead in a Colorado Springs vehicle after likely spending days trapped inside and tearing up the interior while trying to escape.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife said bears can open unlocked car doors while searching for food, then fail to get back out if the door shuts behind them.
6,129 bear sightings and conflicts were reported statewide from Jan. 1 to Aug. 13, nearly double last year's 3,115 for the same period and already above all of 2025.
Wildlife officials linked the surge to poor natural food conditions—low snowpack and late freezes—and warned risks are rising further as bears enter hyperphagia before winter.
CPW urged residents to treat vehicles like campsites by removing food, trash and scented items, saying human-provided food can make bears bolder and increase conflicts.