Bear activity increasing as spring arrives, keep food sources secured

DENVER, Colo. (KKTV) – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reminds residents and visitors that with Spring arriving, black bears are emerging from their dens and looking for food.

Wildlife officials said they have received 82 reports of bear activity in 17 Colorado Counties in 2025, and that number is expected to increase in the coming months.

As bear activity increases, wildlife officials urge residents to secure any trash receptacles, bird feeders or other human-provided food sources around homes or businesses.

Though most human-bear interactions occur in the late summer and fall months, wildlife officials said a late frost or prolonged dry weather could lead to localized natural food failures.

A lack of natural food availability pushes black bears to be more persistent in their search for human-associated food sources.

CPW’s tips for bear-proofing your home:

• Keep garbage in a well-secured location. Only put out garbage on the morning of pickup.
• Clean garbage cans regularly to keep them free of food odors: ammonia is effective.
• Keep garage doors closed. Do not leave pet food or stock feed outside.
• Use a bear-resistant trash can or dumpster.
• Bird feeders are a major source of bear/human conflicts. Attract birds naturally with flowers and water baths. Do not hang bird feeders from April 15 to Nov. 15.
• Don’t allow bears to become comfortable around your house. If you see one, haze it by yelling, throwing things at it and making loud noises to scare it off.
• Secure compost piles. Bears are attracted to the scent of rotting food.
• Clean the grill after each use and clean up thoroughly after cookouts.
• If you have fruit trees, don’t allow the fruit to rot on the ground.
• Talk to your neighbors and kids about being Bear Prepared.

CPW’s tips for cars, traveling and campsites:

• Lock your doors when you’re away from home and at night.
• Keep the bottom-floor windows of your house closed when you’re not at home.
• Do not keep food in your vehicle; roll up the windows and lock the doors of your vehicle.
• When car-camping, secure all food and coolers in a locked vehicle.
• Keep a clean camp, whether you’re in a campground or the backcountry.
• When camping in the backcountry, hang food 100 feet or more from the campsite; don’t bring any food into your tent.
• Cook food well away from your tent, wash dishes thoroughly.

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