Full Breakdown
Colorado Tightens Penalties for Feeding Bears Amid Record-High Human-Wildlife Conflicts
8/16/2026, 8:43:54 PM
Core Event
Effective later this year, Colorado’s House Bill 26-1342 (HB 1342) changed the legal standard for bear-attractant violations from “intentionally” feeding to “knowingly” leaving food, garbage, or other edible waste where bears are likely to encounter it. The amendment eliminates the prior requirement that first-time offenders receive only a warning and raises the maximum fine for a third or subsequent offense from $2,000 to $5,000. The law applies statewide to residents, businesses, and tourists, but excludes agricultural activities and live animals or crops still in the field.
Background & Context
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reports a surge in bear sightings and conflicts this year. By August 13 the agency had logged 6,129 reports of bear activity, nearly double the 3,115 reports recorded for the same period in 2025 and already surpassing the total 5,299 reports filed for all of 2025. CPW attributes the increase to drought, low winter snowpack, and extensive wildfire damage that have reduced natural food sources. As bears enter “hyperphagia” – a late-summer to fall phase when they can spend up to 20 hours a day foraging – they are more likely to seek calories in residential areas.
Data & Statistics
- Bear-related reports (to Aug 13, 2026): 6,129 (CPW)
- Comparison: 3,115 (same period 2025); 5,299 (full 2025)
- Primary attractants: >57 % of incidents involve unsecured trash; ~16 % involve birdseed, pet food, grills, coolers, or refrigerators.
- Enforcement penalties: First-offense citation possible without warning; third or later offense fine up to $5,000.
- Bear relocations and euthanasia (2025): 68 relocated; 98 euthanized.
Official Statements & Responses
CPW officials describe the law as an additional tool to complement education campaigns such as BearWise. They stress that securing garbage, removing bird feeders during active bear periods, and storing pet food indoors are essential preventive measures.
On-the-Ground Reports
Jefferson County resident Oliver Burton observed increasing trash litter near homes and described it as a growing nuisance. Wildlife Public Information Officer John Livingston highlighted that trash remains the leading attractant, followed by bird feeders and pet food left outdoors.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Everything's above average this year, to say the least. We have seen statewide a 28% increase in calls on August 13th of this year compared to the same date last year. We are already at more than 6,000 total reports to CPW offices around the state this year,” — John Livingston, Public Information Officer, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- “Yeah, sometimes we see trash just sprawled out, and I see the trash people picking up all the litter and everything across the street. So yeah, it definitely is becoming more of a nuisance around here,” — Oliver Burton, Jefferson County resident
- “Importantly, with this new legislation, it got rid of the requirement for officers to provide a warning on the first offense,” — John Livingston, Public Information Officer, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
What’s Next
The law empowers any Colorado peace officer to issue citations for knowingly leaving attractants, and CPW will continue public outreach on secure waste storage as bears enter hyperphagia later in the summer. Ongoing monitoring will determine whether the stricter penalties reduce human-bear conflicts in the coming months.
