Colorado Bear Reports Surge in 2026 as Drought and Wildfires Increase Human-Bear Encounters

Description: Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports 8,672 bear-related sightings and incidents through Aug. 31, 2026, more than double the 3,680 reported during the same period in 2025...

Colorado Parks and Wildlife shares preliminary human-bear incident numbers

DENVER - Given the extraordinary drought and fire year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff have been responding to a drastic increase in bear reports from the public. While wildlife officers work to manage and mitigate human-bear interactions statewide, relocation and euthanization options are exercised for bears that have been hit by motor vehicles, are found suffering from poor health and body condition, have attacked humans, or have entered homes or other structures.

This year, the public has expressed a strong interest in understanding these numbers as we enter the early days of hyperphagia. 

These numbers will be finalized in the 2027 final report, but CPW is providing preliminary numbers below to increase public awareness and understanding of the importance of being BearWise® in Colorado.

As of August 31, 2026:

• Human-Bear Incident reports - 8,672 reports of bear-related sightings and incidents, compared to  3,680 reports through August, 2025
• Bear Relocations - 98 bears relocated, compared to 33 bears relocated through August, 2025
• Bears Euthanized by CPW  - 294 bears euthanized, compared to 83 bears euthanized through August, 2025

While the reported numbers through August are an increase from annual reports over the last 5 years, agency response has remained proportional to the number of reported incidents. The number of reported incidents in 2026 to date is 3.6 times the current 5-year average (2020-2025) level. Tracking this figure, relocations have increased by 3.5 times and euthanizations by 2.7 times compared to their respective 5-year averages. 

CPW asks that residents and visitors remain BearWise® and respect how to live with bears in Colorado as they continue to seek easy calories heading into the fall and winter months. For additional free, downloadable resources, visit bearwise.org

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