09/21/2026
Bears have been in the news a lot lately- here’s what you need to know:
Human bear conflict often stems from food- humans leave it out and bears want it! We’re seeing an increase in this issue due to the drought this year. To keep yourself, others and bears safe, use bear proof trash cans and remove attractants in your yard.
Help wildlife professionals by reinforcing bears’ dislike of humans and human places by making noise and honking your horn at them in town. Living where we get to see wildlife is an awesome privilege, but it’s important to do our part.
Trashcans: When you’re on open space, use bear-proof trashcans properly or pack out your trash. Make sure all trash (including food!!) makes it inside the trashcan and the lid is closed all the way. At home, invest in bear-proof trashcans if you can. Store them inside until trash day and promptly bring them back inside. Throwing a banana peel into the bushes might not feel significant because it can decompose, but it actually disrupts the natural ecosystem and can encourage animals to approach people and associate them with food.
Removing attractants: Bears have an amazing sense of smell, 100 times greater than yours or mine and an estimated 7 times greater than a bloodhound (nps.gov). They can definitely smell the fallen fruit in your yard! This includes bird seed and bird feeders (especially at night). Check out fruitrescue.org if you aren’t able to pick up your yard or if you’d like to volunteer to help others.
Reinforcing a fear of humans: Fear is a natural part of the animal kingdom, and it’s one of the best ways to keep wildlife and humans safe. Conservationists and wildlife professionals have worked for decades to install a healthy fear of humans in bears. This fear is what makes bears avoid humans- which means less bears being hazed, euthanized or killed. You can still see bears from afar, but it reduces close encounters which are more likely to lead to conflict. See a bear flipping trashcans? Honk your horn at it or make loud noise from a safe distance. The less pleasant rummaging through trashcans becomes, the less likely the bear will stay in town. Towns are dangerous to bears and there are hundreds of bear-vehicle collisions annually across the U.S.
Bear’s safety & ours: We think you can guess the “our safety” part, hint, bears have sharp claws and sharp teeth… but we know there is bound to be discourse about the bears safety. Wildlife professionals don’t make a lot of money- trust me when I say we are here because we love wildlife, the job and taking care of the land. Putting a bear down isn’t an easy or preferred choice. When appropriate, bears are tranquilized and relocated- but this isn’t as simple as it sounds and can lead to unintended risks. Tranquilizing bears is hard on the bear and isn’t always viable (factors considered include the age/size of the bear, location and weather). Even when successful, relocated bears can return to the area or repeat the behaviors in the new location. Increased risks include now crossing more roads, being in another bear’s territory, and not being able to find food in unfamiliar territory. Bears are euthanized only when this is the safest and/or most humane option. Wildlife officials are most often forced to do this when bears become habituated to humans and human places. That’s why doing your part by removing attractants and reinforcing healthy fear is important!
Thank you for helping to keep wildlife wild. For more information, check out OSMP.org or cpw.state.co.us
If you see a bear that is approaching people, eating human food, looting a trashcan or in the city, call non-emergency dispatch. Depending on who is available, Animal Protection, Park Rangers, or District Wildlife Managers will analyze the situation and do our best to haze the bear (often with the same tactics above: loud noises!). Call 911 for emergencies.
