A person was attacked by a bear in Steamboat Springs on Thursday, marking the eighth bear attack in Colorado this year.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the adult victim was napping in a backyard patio chair Thursday afternoon when they saw a bear approaching.

The person remained calm and did not move in an attempt to not startle the bear, who was huffing and popping its jaw, CPW said.

The bear reached out and scraped the victims knee, and a neighbor used bear spray to stop the animal, the agency said.

The victim walked away from the encounter with minor injuries and did not seek professional medical care, CPW said.

Bears are currently entering hyperphagia, a hyperactive feeding period, as they prepare to enter hibernation, and drought conditions across the state have limited natural feeding sources, causing the animals to be extremely active, CPW said.

Attacks have occurred in Aspen, Jefferson County, Eagle County and Estes Park, among other locations.

There have been over 8,600 bear-related reports this year according to CPW — a 133.7% increase compared to last year’s 3,680 through the end of August.

Around 300 bears have been euthanized this year, CPW said, compared with only 83 euthanized through August 2025.

As the number of attacks continues to tick up across the state, CPW is urging Colorado residents to be bear smart.

CPW recommends people stay alert and travel in groups; not to leave any trash or food scraps out when hiking, camping or spending time outdoors; set up campsites away from dense cover and bears’ natural food sources; and carry bear spray. 

If a bear is encountered, do not approach it, back away slowly and never run, CPW said. If a bear approaches, people should hold their ground while waving their arms in the air and yelling, “Hey, bear.” If a bear still continues to approach, use bear spray, CPW said.

If a black bear makes contact, do not play dead — instead fight back “aggressively,” CPW said.

The Denver Gazette’s news partners 9NEWS contributed to this story.