Full Breakdown
Surge in Colorado Bear Attacks Highlights Drought-Driven Human-Wildlife Conflict
8/22/2026, 9:38:52 PM
Recent Spate of Attacks
In a three-day period this summer, Colorado experienced three separate bear incidents that required emergency response. A homeless man sleeping in Aspen’s Rio Grande Park was bitten on the head and treated for facial injuries. The following night, a woman in Steamboat Springs was attacked inside her home after a bear forced its way through a sliding glass door, striking her in the face. The third incident occurred at an apartment complex in Eagle-Vail, where a female black bear scratched a man’s arm and caused him to trip, injuring his foot. The victim was taken to a hospital and released to recover at home.
Other recent encounters include a bear that unintentionally started a kitchen fire in Mt. Crested Butte and a bear that entered the lobby of the Grand Timber Lodge in Breckenridge and stole a bag of candy.
Background & Context
Officials across the western United States report a sharp rise in human-bear interactions this year. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) notes that severe drought has reduced natural foods such as berries, grasses and insects. Combined with historic wildfires that have burned millions of acres, bears are venturing farther into populated areas in search of sustenance. As bears enter the hyperphagic phase—when they seek up to 20,000 calories daily to prepare for winter hibernation—their movements become more frequent and aggressive.
Data & Statistics
- Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13, CPW recorded 6,129 bear-related reports, a 97 % increase from the same period in 2025.
- Property-damage incidents involving bears rose 56 % year over year.
- In South Lake Tahoe, bear-related calls jumped 80 %, from 97 calls last year to 174 this year.
- Colorado estimates a bear population of 17,000 to 20,000 individuals.
Official Statements & Responses
Joey Livingston, CPW spokesperson, warned that “there is going to be an abnormal amount of bear activity around humans this fall that people need to be aware of.” He explained that limited natural food forces bears to move and search for human-derived sources. New Mexico’s carnivore program manager, Nick Forman, linked the state’s record number of conflicts to drought-induced low snowpack and scarce vegetation.
In response, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed legislation authorizing fines up to $5,000 for individuals who knowingly leave food or garbage that attracts bears after a prior warning. CPW has also placed bear traps in neighborhoods where bears have been sighted and launched public-education campaigns urging residents to secure trash, clean grills, and keep pet food indoors.
On-the-Ground Reports
Cortlandt Koerwitz recounted a close encounter on July 4, 2026 at his Lake Tahoe vacation home, where a bear charged toward his daughters while rummaging through garbage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is going to be an abnormal amount of bear activity around humans this fall that people need to be aware of,” — Joey Livingston, CPW spokesperson
- “The girls said that the bear, instead of running away like normal, the bear kind of came towards them,” — Cortlandt Koerwitz
What’s Next
CPW will continue to monitor bear movements and enforce the new fine structure. Officials plan to expand bear-proofing outreach throughout the fall, emphasizing secure waste management and discouraging feeding. The agency also intends to assess the effectiveness of trap placements and adjust strategies as the hyperphagic season progresses.
