Full Breakdown
Colorado Drought Fuels Surge in Black Bear Attacks
8/23/2026, 6:34:49 AM
Spike in Human-Bear Conflicts
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has recorded a sharp rise in human-bear interactions in 2026. During the reporting period, the agency logged over 7,000 reports of bear sightings, property damage or injuries, compared with roughly 5,400 in 2025. Within the same span, five separate attacks have been confirmed in Eagle-Vail, Steamboat Springs, Aspen, Snowmass and Golden, resulting in arm, facial and head injuries but no fatalities.
Background: Drought and Hyperphagia
A severe, statewide drought has depleted natural food sources such as berries, acorns and grasses. Bears entering the hyperphagia phase—when they can consume up to 20,000 calories per day to build winter fat reserves—are traveling farther into residential areas in search of calories. Low mountain snowpack, historic wildfires and prolonged heat have compounded the scarcity of forage, prompting bears to seek human-provided foods.
Data & Statistics
- 6,129 bear-related reports received by CPW, a 97 percent increase over the same period in 2025.
- Colorado has recorded 105 bear attacks since 1960, with only four fatalities; the five attacks this year are the most in the agency’s northwest region in ten years.
- Historical attack counts: 7 in 2020, 6 in 2023 and 2019, 5 in 2017.
Recent Attacks
- Eagle-Vail (early August): A man exiting an apartment-complex laundry room was swiped on the arm by a female black bear and tripped, injuring his foot. He was treated and released. CPW placed a bear trap in the neighborhood.
- Steamboat Springs (August 17): A woman was struck in the face after a bear forced a sliding-glass door off its track and entered her home. She drove herself to a hospital and recovered. Traps were set nearby.
- Aspen (August 19): A homeless man sleeping in Rio Grande Park was bitten on the head by a female bear. He escaped, received medical care and was released. The bear was later euthanized.
- Snowmass (June 21): A minor scouting for hunting season was followed by a bear up a tree and managed to fend it off.
- Golden (June 21): Hikers reported a bear encounter; no injuries were noted.
Official Statements & Responses
CPW public information officer Rachael Gonzales emphasized that bear attacks remain “very rare” despite the record number of reports and urged residents to secure trash, pet food and grills, lock doors and windows, and use bear-spray when necessary. She noted that the drought-driven food shortage is pushing bears into neighborhoods and that “the importance of prevention is crucial.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed legislation allowing fines up to $5,000 for individuals who knowingly leave food or garbage that attracts bears after a warning.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two CPW statements provide different totals for the same reporting period: one cites over 7,000 reports, while another lists 6,129. Both figures are presented by CPW officials, but the discrepancy has not been clarified in the available sources. Detailed demographic data on the bears involved (age, sex, cub presence) are limited to a few incidents.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Bear attacks in Colorado are very rare,” — Rachael Gonzales
- “We are going to see more [bear reports] as they slowly transition into that hyperphagia phase,” — Rachael Gonzales
- “There’s not a lot a natural food out there for the bears. When there’s less natural food for the bears, they have to move,” — Joey Livingston, CPW spokesperson
