CPW investigating bear attack in Estes Park
Kara Van Hoose
August 28, 2026
Colorado Parks and Wildlife investigating bear attack in Estes Park
ESTES PARK, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a bear attack after an adult bear entered an Estes Park home Thursday morning. Around 4:30 a.m., a bear broke into a house on the western side of town through an unlocked, closed window on the first floor. The homeowner, a woman in her 80s, reported to CPW officers she awoke to the bear in the kitchen on the second floor. The bear charged the woman, scratched her across the stomach and knocked her to the ground, according to the victim. She told officers the bear then left the house through the first floor window.
The victim called 911 and Larimer County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. No bear was found. She sought medical treatment for her abdominal injuries.
CPW has requested the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in locating the bear involved.
Heavy bear activity has been reported in the area, with multiple bears breaking into occupied homes and vehicles over the past few days. CPW officers have set traps to remove bears posing an immediate public safety risk.
“As we continue to navigate this extraordinary bear year, please continue to be vigilant in removing food and trash that may attract bears to your property,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Jason Duetsch. “Wildlife officers are working tirelessly to respond to an unprecedented number of bear reports, and we are counting on the community to help mitigate conflict."
Colorado is experiencing an unprecedented bear conflict year, largely due to drought conditions depleting natural food sources for bears. As they begin to enter hyperphagia, bear activity is expected to increase while they search for 20,000 calories per day before denning. Bears can take greater risks in seeking out food during this time, driving them into neighborhoods and populated areas.
To prevent bear conflicts and encourage them to find food away from humans, keep trash secured at all times. Lock windows, doors and vehicles to discourage break-ins. Take down bird feeders until Thanksgiving. Never feed or leave out food for bears, as feeding wildlife is illegal and contributes to their habituation towards humans. Report bear activity and conflicts to CPW.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
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