Colorado Parks and Wildlife is planning several outreach events across the state to educate residents on keeping bears away amid record sightings, according to a news release on Friday.

The agency has received over 6,000 reports of bear sightings this year, nearly double this time last year, and is on pace for the highest since CPW began digital reporting in 2019.

Compared to annual averages, CPW’s southeast region has the largest increase. The region, which includes Colorado Springs, typically has 807 annual bear reports and already has 1,122 this year as of Aug. 13, according to CPW data.

In El Paso and Pueblo counties, reports are up 89% and 847% from 2025, respectively.

Low snowpack, drought and wildfires that reduced natural food sources have increased activity, according to CPW. This time of year in late summer and fall, bears enter hyperphagia and spend up to 20 hours daily searching for food.

August has already been busy for bears across the state.

On Monday, bear attacks occurred at a residence in Steamboat Springs and a city park in Aspen. The next day, CPW reported a 300-pound bear died inside a vehicle in Colorado Springs after becoming trapped, “likely” for days, while searching for food.

Coloradans can help reduce bear activity near their residences by:

• Securing trash and placing it out on the morning of collection
• Removing bird feeders
• Feeding pets indoors
• Cleaning and securely storing grills
• Locking exterior doors, including in vehicles
• Alerting neighbors to bear activity
• Hazing bears with yelling or loud noise from a secure place

If someone knowingly attempts to lure a bear, they can be issued a warning or violation by CPW officers or other law enforcement as of Aug. 12.

To keep bears away when outdoors, CPW recommends:

• Staying alert and together
• Double bagging trash and food, while leaving none of it behind, including “harmless” items like apple cores
• Keeping dogs leashed
• Camping away from dense cover and natural resources
• Keeping food and clothes worn while cooking away outside of tents
• Carry bear spray and never use it on tents, campsites or other belongings

If a bear is nearby, the agency advises not to approach or feed it and to call 911 if it is threatening someone or attempting to enter an occupied home.

From 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, CPW’s BearWise outreach team will be at the Forest Lake Concerts in the Park at Forest Lakes Waterfront Park in Monument. Several other events are planned from Teller, Huerfano and Pueblo counties, including the Colorado State Fair, according to CPW.

The BearWise education team routinely provides opportunities to the community at the Bear Creek Nature Center in Colorado Springs. They are set to be there again on Saturday and Sept. 18, according to CPW’s website.

Additional information on living with bears can be found on the agency’s website.