Full Breakdown
Bear Cub Breaks Into Handyman’s Truck in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
7/1/2026, 8:35:47 AM
Core Event
On June 23, 2026, Andy Kerrigan, a 52-year-old handyman, opened the driver’s door of his pickup truck in Steamboat Springs and found a black bear cub seated in the front seat, eating his sandwich, chips, and cookies. A garage-door camera at the duplex owned by Justin Pickar and Meg Warder captured the encounter, and Pickar later shared the video with Kerrigan.
Background: Colorado Bear-Human Interactions
Colorado hosts an estimated 17,000-20,000 black bears. According to Travis Duncan, spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, most conflicts occur when bears obtain human food or other attractants. Bears are most common in the state’s western regions, especially where Gambel’s oak, chokecherries, and aspen grow.
Timeline of the June 23 Encounter
- Morning – Kerrigan, working on a deck, walked to his truck for water.
- Driver’s door opened – He saw the cub sitting shotgun.
- Initial shooing – He banged on the truck and used a piece of wood to prod the animal.
- Cub’s exit – After several attempts, the cub left through the driver’s side and circled to the passenger side before departing.
Data & Statistics
- Black-bear population: 17,000-20,000.
- Primary conflict triggers: unsecured food, trash, and open vehicle windows.
- Habitat focus: western Colorado oak-chokecherry-aspen ecosystems.
Official Statements & Responses
Travis Duncan emphasized that such intrusions are “not unusual” when bears are hungry or seeking shelter and reiterated agency guidance to secure food, trash, and vehicle openings. Justin Pickar described the video as a “crazy encounter” and confirmed that the garage camera recorded the bear’s presence.
Criticism of Feeding Bears
Kerrigan warned, “I don’t like feeding bears human food – a fed bear is a dead bear,” highlighting concerns that human-provided food encourages risky bear behavior.
On-the-Ground Report
Kerrigan said the cub “charged” him, causing him to fall on his “derrière” when he backed up. He observed blood on the door handle, console, and seat, suggesting the animal may have been injured during the intrusion.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The New York Times article assigns a reliability score of 41.04, while the Straits Times piece provides no reliability rating. Both sources agree on the core facts, but the precise cause of the blood on the interior surfaces remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I opened the door and saw the bear sitting there,” — Andy Kerrigan, Handyman
- “He basically charged me and that’s when I backed up and fell on my derrière,” — Andy Kerrigan, Handyman
- “It is not unusual for bears to show up in unlikely places, especially when hungry or seeking shelter.” — Travis Duncan, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson
What’s Next
Colorado Parks and Wildlife plans continued public outreach on securing food sources and vehicle openings, aiming to reduce future bear intrusions similar to the Steamboat Springs incident.
