Black Bears are omnivores that consume 90 percent plants and 10 percent meat. Current drought conditions have dried up plants and grasses, limiting the normal abundance of berries and nuts bears crave while preparing for winter hibernation.

(Photo by Jeff Cornell of Conifer)

It is rare for a bear, sighted in residential areas, to damage property or harm people. If it does not find abundant food, it moves on. Reported sightings do not count against bears that cause no harm. Those that damage property or are aggressive toward humans are relocated and tagged by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. If it repeats the aggressive behavior around humans a second time, it must be destroyed. According to Rocky Mountain News writer Gary Gerhardt, “Wildlife officials fear they will be killing a lot of bears if people aren’t careful with their food, garbage, bird feeders and anything that will put out a scent a bear might find attractive.”

Most bears will go to great lengths to avoid people unless their appetites overcome their judgment. Those that gain a tasty reward for the risk of scavenging near homes are likely to repeat the risk. Bears are attracted to suet and sunflower seeds in bird feeders, garbage left outdoors overnight for morning pickup, pet food and grease from BBQ grills. Melon rinds, spoiled food and other smelly garbage are delectable scents for bears.

The DOW has developed a “Bear Buster” volunteer training program for responding to bear sighting calls in their community. Volunteers learn about various types of bear/human incidents and help prevent conflicts by educating their neighbor’s home where the bear was sighted.

DOW officer Tom Howard has trained Boulder, Evergreen and Mt. Vernon Canyon volunteers for “Bear Buster” response. Neighbors south of I-70 are encouraged to call: