Colorado logs record 7,000+ bear sightings in 2026 as bears enter homes, towns
In recent months, severe drought conditions in the American West have driven malnourished bears into urban areas in search of food. With natural vegetation dwindling, bears have turned to human settlements, often scavenging through trash cans. These encounters, which typically start with easily preventable issues like unsecured rubbish bins or unattended bird feeders, are becoming more frequent…
Colorado has recorded over 7,000 bear sightings in 2026, surpassing its previous record set in 2019. Severe drought across the American West has forced black bears to venture into homes and towns in search of food. The drought has destroyed natural vegetation, berries, grasses, and nuts, which make up about 90% of a black bear's diet.
Black bears have been found inside homes in Granby, Colorado, and have also been spotted in other towns and cities, including Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Denver. Wildlife experts are concerned about the long-term effects of environmental changes on bear behavior, predicting that as the Western United States continues to become drier, bears might become accustomed to eating human food or alter their hibernation patterns.
Colorado's population has more than doubled in the past 50 years, leading to more bear-human conflicts. The state is currently home to between 17,000 and 20,000 black bears. Colorado Parks and Wildlife have euthanized at least six bears this year after they entered occupied homes or exhibited aggressive behavior. Community conservation groups are urging local authorities to implement stricter rules requiring bear-resistant rubbish containers to prevent future conflicts.
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