Spring is here and bear activity is increasing, keep food sources secured to reduce conflicts this year

Joey Livingston
Statewide Public Information Officer
303-345-4658 / [email protected]

Black bears commonly return to the first large food source they receive each year. Keep attractants secured in the spring to prevent human-bear conflicts this summer/fall. Courtesy of CPW. April 22, 2026

DENVER — With spring upon us, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reminds residents and visitors that black bears are emerging from their dens and are looking for food. 

CPW has already received 98 reports of bear activity in 22 Colorado counties this year (compared to 127 reports in 22 counties last year) and that number is expected to increase substantially in the coming months. As bear activity increases, wildlife officials urge residents to secure any and all food and scent attractants. Bears should NOT eat from trash receptacles, bird feeders, or other human-provided food sources around homes or businesses.

“Every time a bear gets food from or near humans, whether from a bird feeder, a hummingbird feeder, or trash, it teaches the bear that people equal food,” said Tim Kroening, Area Wildlife Manager for the Colorado Springs area. “Bears are extremely intelligent and we can’t unteach a bear that becomes habituated to a human-provided food source. It is vital that we as humans take responsibility to prevent them from learning this in the first place by keeping food sources secured.”

The first bears to emerge from their winter dens are typically males (boars) followed by females (sows) that did not give birth to cubs over the winter. The last bears to emerge from winter dens are the females who gave birth to this year’s cubs, usually in late April. 

Early-season natural food sources for bears include grasses, aspen buds and other vegetative matter that is beginning to sprout. Those gentle food sources, the first crops available to them, help a bear’s digestive system and metabolism adjust back to normal after not consuming anything for months.

“Their bodies need to adjust to the fact that they haven’t consumed anything for up to five or six months,” said Mark Vieira, CPW’s Carnivore and Furbearer Program Manager. “There is a phase in the spring called ‘walking hibernation’ that refers to bears who are out on the landscape moving slowly and eating almost exclusively vegetative material that starts to pass through their system to get their bodies ready for early summer food sources. That is when they will move back into the typical omnivore diet that we see bears eating the rest of the year.”

Over 90% of a bear’s natural diet is grasses, berries, fruits, nuts and plants–native crops dependent on moisture. Wildlife officials monitor weather patterns in the spring and summer to help determine what natural forage will be available in the summer and fall. 

Data shows there are fewer human-bear incidents and conflicts in years with good moisture and abundant natural food sources.

Though most human-bear interactions occur in the late summer and fall months, a late frost or prolonged dry weather could lead to localized natural food failures and a rise in human-bear conflicts. A lack of natural food availability pushes black bears to be more persistent in their search for human-associated food sources. Being BearWise not only protects your home and property, but it can save a bear’s life.

Starting with proper bear prepared practices in the spring may help prevent bears from discovering your home or neighborhood as a food source that they will return to throughout the year.

Live BearWise®. Keep bears wild.
As a member of BearWise®, CPW encourages everyone to share BearWise® information with their neighbors and communities to help prevent conflicts with bears. CPW asks all residents and visitors to help save Colorado’s bears by being actively bear prepared throughout the year. Human-bear conflicts are most often traced back to human behavior. Living BearWise® is the most effective way to prevent human-caused conflicts with bears.

Six At-Home BearWise® Basics

• Never Feed or Approach Bears - Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs!
• Secure Food, Garbage and Recycling - Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food, liquids or garbage.
• Remove Bird Feeders When Bears Are Active - Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears.
• Never Leave Pet Food Outdoors - Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove food and bowls after feeding. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it.
• Clean & Store Grills - Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.
• Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity - See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? Tell your neighbors and share information on how to prevent conflicts with bears. Bears have adapted to living near people; now it’s up to us to adapt to living near bears.

Six Outdoor BearWise® Basics

• Stay Alert & Stay Together - Pay attention to your surroundings and stay together. Walk, hike, jog, or cycle with others when possible. Keep kids within sight and close by. Leave earbuds at home and make noise periodically so bears can avoid you.
• Leave No Trash or Food Scraps - Double bag your food when hiking and pack out all food and trash. Don't burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill. Leaving scraps, wrappers, or even "harmless" items like apple cores teaches bears to associate trails and campsites with food.
• Keep Dogs Leashed - Letting dogs chase or bark at bears is asking for trouble; don't force a bear to defend itself. Keep your dogs leashed at all times or leave them at home. 
• Camp Safely - Set up camp away from dense cover and natural food sources. Cook as far from your tent as possible. Do not store food, trash, clothes worn when cooking, or toiletries in your tent. Store in approved bear-resistant containers OR out of sight in locked vehicle OR suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet from any part of the tree. Local regulations vary.
• Know What To Do If You See a Black Bear - If you see a bear before it notices you, don't approach. Stand still, enjoy, then quietly move away. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. Never run; running may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, hold your ground, wave your arms and yell "Hey Bear" until it leaves. Stay with your group. If it keeps approaching, use bear spray. If a black bear makes contact with you, do NOT play dead; fight back aggressively.
• Carry Bear Spray & Know How To Use It - Bear spray is proven to be the easiest and most effective way to deter a bear that threatens you. It doesn't work like bug repellent, so never spray your tent, campsite or belongings.

For more information on bears in Colorado, visit cpw.state.co.us/living-bears. If you have questions or need to report bear problems, call your nearest CPW office.

Media resources
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is providing additional resources to assist with media coverage on reducing conflicts with bears in Colorado this year so residents can work towards keeping our bears wild.
The link below contains:

• Facts and figures folder with: 2025 Bear Reports Summary, 2025 Bear Report Progression Map, Bear Flyers
• Folders with photos and videos from bear encounters for use by media outlets

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Bear Media Kit Thank you for helping CPW spread the word on the importance of being BearWise® and making small adjustments to your home and outdoor routines to keep wildlife in mind.

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