Bear Encounters Jump Across 15 States as Colorado Reports 10,019 Calls
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 22
Bear Encounters Jump Across 15 States as Colorado Reports 10,019 Calls
2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 22
Summary
At least 15 states have logged more bear-related calls than a year earlier, with Colorado reporting 10,019 incidents so far in 2026—more than triple last year and above twice its annual average.
Drought, low snowpack, early snowmelt and late-spring freezes have cut berries, acorns and other natural foods, pushing black bears into neighborhoods, cabins, cars and businesses in search of calories.
Human expansion is compounding the surge: about 450,000 black bears now live in the United States, populations have rebounded in at least 40 states, and homes built closer to wild lands create more chances for conflict.
Officials say food-conditioned bears rarely unlearn the behavior and can teach it to cubs, which is why repeated home entries in places such as Connecticut and tourist feeding in Gatlinburg can end in euthanasia.
Serious attacks remain rare, but wildlife managers warn the peak fall foraging season is still underway and say people must secure trash and food, avoid approaching bears and adapt to living in bear country.