Colorado saw an increase in bear reports in 2025, with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) receiving 5,259 bear reports between January 1st and December 1st, 2025, while 2024 saw 4,996 reports in the same period. 2025’s total is the highest since 2019, when 5,392 reports were received.
The state’s seven-year average of bear-related conflicts and sightings reported to CPW is just 4,583. Around 17,000 to 20,000 bears live in Colorado, and the majority of incident reports are related to bears attempting to access human food sources. The last two months of the year tend to see few reports, but CPW still calls on residents to remove attractants.
Reports of bear sightings and conflicts in the state have been increasing the past three years. 2022 saw 4,271 reports throughout the state, and 2023 saw 3,488 statewide. CPW asks residents to report bears seen in urban areas to their local wildlife offices. The organization can also provide additional tips and advice to make homes less attractive to the wild animals. Read Colorado’s BearWise® guidelines for keeping bears wild below.
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 & 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.
