Report Grizzly Bear Sighting
Have you seen a Grizzly Bear?
Once they occurred throughout Colorado, and they were fairly common in the western three-fifths of the state at least until the turn of the 19th to 20th century. After 1900, the population declined rapidly. No grizzly was killed in the state from 1952 until 1979, when naturalists were surprised to learn that a grizzly was killed by a hunting guide in the San Juan Mountains, apparently in self-defense.
Make a Positive Identification
Species Comparison
Colorado is a wonderful place full of many species that can sometimes be tricky to tell apart. Take a moment to review the information below to help confirm if you've spotted an otter, and then feel free to share your sighting information!
Grizzly Bear
Physical Characteristics
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Light brown to black in color
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Claws longer (2 to 4 inches), lighter and straighter
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Prominent shoulder hump
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Hips lower than shoulders
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Shorter, rounder ears
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Dish-shaped face; muzzle curves upward slightly (concave)
Black Bear
Physical Characteristics
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Cinnamon (brown) or black in color
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Claws shorter (1-2.5 inches), darker and more curved
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Little to no shoulder hump
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Hips higher than shoulders
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Taller, more pointed ears
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Straight-shaped face; “Roman-nosed,” i.e., muzzle curves downward slightly (convex)
Why Report Your Sighting?
If you observe wildlife, this information could be incredibly valuable to CPW. Wildlife observations by members of the public, and private landowners in particular, can help inform wildlife management in Colorado. You may be concerned that reporting wildlife activity will compromise your privacy, or may make species location information widely available, but there are laws in place to protect your privacy and to protect species location information from public disclosure if you choose to share this information with CPW. While the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) makes many government records public, there are exceptions to CORA that protect your personal information, information about private property, and animal location data.