Colorado wildlife officials confirmed two more black bear attacks over the weekend, pushing the state’s total number of reported human-bear conflicts to a record double-digit high for the year, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The incidents, which involved a camper bitten inside her tent near South Fork and a teenage girl scratched after a bear broke into a Durango condo, highlight an escalating season of human-wildlife encounters driven by severe drought and dwindling natural food sources.
Campground Attack Reported in Rio Grande National Forest
The first weekend incident occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. Friday in the Park Creek campground within the Rio Grande National Forest near South Fork, according to a CPW news release reported by the Denver Post. A woman inside her tent reported feeling a sudden impact against the fabric followed by a bite to her arm. Though she could not see the animal in the dark, she described it as large and reported hearing a growl.
State wildlife officers investigating the scene discovered punctures on the tent fabric, claw marks on the opposite wall, dirt consistent with paw prints, and dark hair outside the structure. Area Wildlife Manager Rick Basagoitia of the Monte Vista office stated that the bite appeared to be an act of surprise rather than aggression, noting the location had no prior history of conflict. Because the campground closed for the season on Monday, officials determined the threat level was sufficiently reduced and elected not to capture the bear.
Durango Condo Break-In Results in Minor Injuries
A separate incident unfolded at approximately 2 a.m. Sunday in Durango, where a black bear entered a 17-year-old girl’s bedroom through a cracked, screened window in a condo building, according to The Colorado Sun. The animal tore away the screen, fully opened the window, and pulled down a window curtain, waking the teenager. The girl hid under her blankets, but the bear began sniffing her shoulders and head. When she made a noise, the animal huffed and swiped at her under the covers, leaving three claw marks and bruising on her stomach.
District Wildlife Manager Luke Clancy noted that the victim avoided more severe injury because she had multiple blankets covering her. After the girl screamed and sat up, the bear temporarily exited through the window before returning, prompting a second round of screaming that finally caused the animal to flee permanently. Officials reported that a bear entered another nearby residence on Monday morning, prompting wildlife officers to set a trap. Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta of the Durango office stated that the animal’s repeated home entries posed a continuous threat to human health and safety, urging residents to keep doors and windows locked.
Drought Conditions Fuel Statewide Bear Conflicts
The weekend encounters bring Colorado’s confirmed bear attacks to 10 for the year, a record high for the state where an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 black bears reside. State wildlife data attributes the surge in conflicts to drought conditions that have depleted natural food sources, forcing bears to seek out meals in residential areas, campgrounds, and towns to prepare for hibernation. CPW data shows that nearly 300 black bears have been euthanized and 98 have been relocated this year following vehicle strikes, property entries, or human attacks, while bear sightings have been documented across 41 of the state’s 64 counties.
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