Colorado wildlife officials are reporting a major increase in bear sightings and conflicts as drought, low snowpack and wildfires reduce the natural food available before hibernation.

Axios reported on August 17 that Colorado Parks and Wildlife had received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts through August 13. That was nearly double the 3,115 reports recorded at the same point last year and already above the 5,299 reports logged during all of 2025.

A report from KKCO11, citing CPW officials, said the dry conditions are pushing bears into towns and neighborhoods in search of food. In Mesa County, the station reported 257 bear reports from April 1 through August 7, compared with 28 during the same period last year.

The local report said trash, birdseed, pet food, barbecues, coolers and refrigerators can attract bears. It also warned that even a small amount of food left inside a vehicle can be detected by a bear. That advice is behind the Colorado bear car lock warning now appearing in searches.

CPW officials said residents should secure trash, bring pet food indoors and lock food sources around animals. People should give bears space, call 911 if a bear is inside a home, and contact their local wildlife office when a bear remains on a property and begins getting into items.colorado-bear-reports-nearly-double-as-drought-drives-wildlife