Colorado Bear Attacks Have Quadrupled This Year. Here’s Why

An early-season freeze combined with an ongoing drought has triggered a surge in bear attacks across Colorado. Here is a look at how the weather is contributing to an increase in bear activity across the Centennial State.

Bear Attacks on the Rise in Colorado

Hungry bears are being forced to travel farther into urban areas, increasing attacks on humans. Bears that live on the state's Western Slope have been dealing with food shortages for months thanks to an extensive drought.

The problems started this summer when one of the hottest summers on record in this part of the country dried up the creeks and streams in western Colorado. As a result, the resident black bears migrated downhill toward the Colorado River in search of food and water. 

These food shortages have been exacerbated by an early freeze. The cold temperatures wiped out much of the state's berries and acorns. The timing could not have been worse, as this is when the bears need to put on weight in preparation for the long winter.

Wildlife rehabilitator Nanci Limbach said that the food search naturally sent the bears closer to residential areas and traffic. State wildlife officials had already fielded 12 reports of bear attacks by October 23. This is four times the number reported throughout all of 2025. Seven of these attacks occurred by August 27.

The freeze gripped much of western Colorado during the middle of October. The town of Rifle saw the mercury dip to 31 degrees on October 16 and then to 32 degrees the following night.