Home / Environment / Colorado Drought Pushes Bears to Suburbs, Deadly Encounters Rise
Colorado Drought Pushes Bears to Suburbs, Deadly Encounters Rise
24 Jul
Summary
- Bear activity increased 155% in Douglas County, Colorado this year.
- Four bears died in Douglas County this month; three by car strikes.
- Drought conditions are forcing bears into developed Front Range areas.
Amidst a severe drought, bears are increasingly venturing into Colorado's Front Range suburbs, resulting in a concerning rise in sightings and fatalities. Douglas County alone has reported a 155% increase in bear activity this year. This past month, four bears have died in the county, with three being victims of vehicle collisions and one being shot.
Residents like Pam Walters in Castle Rock have observed mama bears with cubs navigating their neighborhoods, drawn by accessible water sources. Tragically, one such bear was shot near the Terrain neighborhood, with her cubs later sent to rehabilitation. This incident has led to an ongoing investigation by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Another bear was struck and killed by a car on Yosemite Street in Lone Tree after deputies responded to a break-in where cubs were found inside a Roxborough home. Wildlife experts urge residents to secure trash, keep bird feeders inaccessible, and avoid feeding bears to mitigate these dangerous interactions and protect wildlife habitats.
