Colorado Bear Conflicts Hit 6,129 Reports as Drought and Hyperphagia Drive Historic Surge
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 22
Colorado Bear Conflicts Hit 6,129 Reports as Drought and Hyperphagia Drive Historic Surge
2 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 22
Summary
Colorado Parks and Wildlife logged 6,129 bear sighting and conflict reports through Aug. 13, nearly double last year's 3,115 for the same period and already above all of 2025.
Drought and bears' hyperphagia feeding phase are shrinking natural food supplies, pushing animals into neighborhoods, cars and homes in search of calories before winter.
Recent Colorado incidents include two women struck in Aspen and Steamboat Springs, a man injured near Eagle-Vail, and a 300-pound black bear found dead inside an unlocked car in Colorado Springs.
Wildlife officers have euthanized or trapped some bears, relocated others near Fort Collins, and urged residents to lock cars, secure trash, remove bird feeders and carry bear spray.
The pattern extends beyond Colorado: New Mexico reported its highest human-bear conflicts since 2014, including a fatal Aug. 20 attack, as drought also drives bears from natural habitat.