Last week, Colorado officials warned that the state was seeing record incidents of bear-human conflicts. Those officials are sounding the alarm once again after two incidents in Aspen and Steamboat Springs this week.
A woman in Steamboat Springs had her face mauled by a bear that entered her house on Tuesday. That was followed on Wednesday by a homeless man bitten on the head while sleeping. Both were hospitalized for their injuries, and have already been released.
The incidents are yet another reminder that Colorado is seeing a spike in these conflicts. As of Aug. 13, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) has received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts so far this year. Compared to 3,115 reports in 2025 over the same time period, that means this year has already seen nearly double the number of incidents in the first half of last year.
The trend is almost certain to continue into fall as bears seek out food before winter, meaning 2026 will likely be the worst year on record for bear attacks in Colorado. Park officials blamed wildfires and drought conditions for driving more bears into towns to search for food and water.
“Summer wildfires and drought test every creature. Protecting their habitat today gives wildlife hope for future generations,” said CPW Habitat Conservation Supervisor Casey Cooley. “This summer in particular, we ask people to be mindful that wildlife are having to work harder to find food and water. The best thing we can do to support them is to keep them wild and not feed or disturb them. Feeding wildlife can increase the chances of human-wildlife conflicts or make them sick and dehydrated.”
Incidents This Week
The first bear attack this week occurred in Steamboat Springs on Tuesday, inside a home near Fish Creek Falls Road. The female victim contacted wildlife officials to report that a bear entered her residence through a sliding glass door. She tried to chase the animal outside, and the bear struck her face with its claws.
The woman was able to drive herself to a local hospital, where she was treated for facial injuries before being released to recover at home. Her family has requested privacy, park officials said.
“Investigators determined the bear forced its way inside by damaging the wooden frame of the sliding glass door and knocking it off its track,” park officials said. “Officers collected hair samples from the broken door for DNA analysis and set a trap at the property while alerting neighbors to take preventative precautions.”
The second bear attack in Colorado this week occurred in Aspen.
Wildlife officers in Aspen responded to a report of an attack in Rio Grande Park just after 3 a.m. Wednesday. The victim was a homeless man sleeping in the park when the bear approached and bit him on the head. The man managed to escape his sleeping bag and get away to call for help. He was later treated for head and facial injuries at a hospital.
The officers later found the bear, a female without cubs, which was “humanely euthanized in accordance with CPW policy,” officials said. A full necropsy and DNA analysis will be performed at the CPW Wildlife Health Lab in Fort Collins.
What Residents Can Do
Colorado park officials are imploring the state’s residents to avoid leaving out the “attractants” that lure bears into cities. Moreover, attacks are likely to keep increasing: The bears’ hyperphagia drives them to consume 20,000 calories each day in preparation for winter, “so human-bear conflicts are likely to increase as we enter the fall,” officials said.
Wildlife officers are frequently called to help with bears because people have left trash outside, or bears have entered open garages and unlocked cars, officials said this week.
“These calls can be prevented with extra diligence by humans to secure trash and strong-smelling items that can attract bears,” park officials said in a release.
It’s not just a request anymore, either: Failing to take appropriate precautions is now a crime in Colorado. Earlier this summer, state lawmakers approved new penalties for humans making the problem worse.
If you’re camping and leave out food that attracts a bear, you could now receive a $1,000 ticket — even for your first offense. This week, Colorado officials also reminded residents of multiple tips for staying “bear wise” and avoiding conflicts, whether you’re out camping or sitting at home.
