Be Bear Aware At All Times

To print this checklist for future reference, click here. (19KB pdf file)

Take down, clean, and put away bird feeders (hummingbird and seed). Bird feeders (hummingbird and seed) attract bears to your property at all hours of the day. Once a bear has found a feeder in your yard, it will likely look around for other easy foods within reach.
Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Clean trash cans with ammonia or bleach frequently to reduce odors that attract bears.
Consider a bear-proof dumpster – if not available, ask your trash-removal company for options. Many areas now REQUIRE bear-proof trashcans or dumpsters.
Place garbage for pickup outside just before collection and not the night before.
Do not place meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon rinds in a compost pile.
Do not leave pet food or dishes outdoors at night.
Barbecue grills should be cleaned thoroughly and, if possible, stored in a garage or shed when not in use. Bears can smell food many MILES away. Sticky barbecue sauce and grease can attract bears to your yard. If the wind is right, it is possible for a bear to smell your barbecuing steaks from three to five miles away.
Never intentionally feed bears. It is ILLEGAL to feed bears in Colorado.
Property owners with fruit trees should harvest fruit as soon as it ripens and immediately clean up any fruit on the ground that falls from trees.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife publishes a brochure entitled "Living with Wildlife in Black Bear Country" that provides tips for homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts. The brochure is available at any DOW office. To report an incident involving a bear contact your local DOW office. To learn more about black bears or how to bear-proof your home or camp visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife Living with Wildlife webpage.

wildlife.state.co.us/Education/LivingWithWildlife

Colorado has an abundance of wildlife — many you will have never seen before. To learn more about these critters and the best way to coexist with them, please visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife website for terrific information.

wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies

Colorado Bear Hibernation

Bears Are Most Active During Spring and Fall

There are between 8,000 and 12,000 black bears in Colorado

and most of them will awaken from their winter hibernation sometime in April.

They will remain active until sometime in November or December,

depending upon the weather.

As temperatures warm and snow pack melts in spring, nature provides a new generation of tender young plants for bears to eat at lower elevations. Adult male bears usually emerge from their dens first. Females with cubs tend to come out later. For the first few weeks in spring following hibernation, bears become relentless in their search for food. New grass, dandelions, and young plants are typical natural foods.

Bears are opportunists and will eat anything they find eatable. This could include pets, children, and adults.

In fall, they are eating as much as possible to prepare for hibernation.

Bears are most active during the spring and fall seasons. Be very bear aware at all times, but especially during these two seasons.

Importance of Bear Proofing

Please Obey Trash Ordinances

The Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds everyone that a few simple precautions can minimize the chance of unwanted encounters with bears.

From April through December:

Walk your property and remove any bear attractants from sight and smell. Bear-proofing your property by removing items a bear might consider potential food sources such as bird feeders (hummingbird and seed), pet food left outside, or trash cans. These things may seem insignificant, but they are critical to prevent behavior patterns in bears that often cannot be reversed.

If there was bear activity in your neighborhood last year, you will need to be extra careful this year, as bears will return to the same locations where they have been successful finding food in the past. If the home or business owner does not take action to remove the bear attractants, it is only a matter of time before the bear will return.

Colorado has a “two strike” rule for dealing with problem bears. The first time a bear gets into trouble, it receives an ear tag marking it as a problem bear. Another serious encounter, or “second strike,” means the bear will be killed.

If you regularly see a bear on your property, assess the situation to find out what is attracting the bear and take steps to remove the attractant.

A Fed Bear

Is a Dead Bear

By making food available to a bear, people train it to associate humans with food. Once a bear learns this association, it can become dangerous and often must be killed.