When a bear pokes its head outside a den in early spring, it takes very little to coax it back into hibernation.
Colorado black bears typically do not emerge until snow melts and food becomes visible beyond the thicket.
This year, however, drier conditions have altered that pattern. CPW public information officer John Livingston said bears are coming out earlier and staying out because grasses are already visible and hungry bears, having gone months without eating, are beginning to prepare their bodies for summer.
The warm, dry spell is bringing bears out of hibernation sooner than normal across Southwest Colorado, increasing the likelihood of human-bear encounters. Early activity, combined with drought conditions and the potential for another meager year of natural food, could push bears toward neighborhoods in search of easy calories.
Wildlife officials are asking people to take precautions earlier than usual and limit access to attractants such as human trash, bird feeders and pet food, which can quickly escalate conflicts if residents do not act.
“We’re looking at a second, consecutive year of really bad natural food, conditions based on the lack of moisture that we’ve gotten if we don’t get good spring rains,” Livingston said.
He also pointed to an equally concerning scenario in which late ground freezes in April or May could hurt production of chokecherries, berries, nuts and acorns that bears rely on to gain weight heading into fall.
“It’s reminding people not to leave the bird feeder up until May this year and make sure you’re securing trash, and other upkeep items too,” Livingston said, adding that maintaining electric fences is also key to prevention.
Livingston said residents who may have been lax about securing trash during the winter months should begin doing so now. Allowing food to remain accessible, he said, can establish patterns that escalate into more serious encounters later in the summer.
Educating not just locals but visitors, including rental and second-home owners, is a primary focus for CPW following a heavy workload responding to reports last year.
Unsecured trash remains the leading cause of bear run-ins with people, Livingston said. Last year, bear-human activity increased slightly from 2024, with 5,259 reports recorded statewide, including widespread incidents in Dolores.
Bears typically den in quiet areas such as the San Juan Mountains and other public lands, away from human activity. When they emerge, they tend to stay close to their habitat, feeding on vegetation, grasses and insects as they wait for aspen buds to bloom. Later in the season, they may move closer to the edges of town.
Bears usually emerge from dens later in April or May, coinciding with the state’s annual bear-awareness campaign.
Coexisting with wildlife is part of life in Colorado, where officials estimate nearly 20,000 bears roam statewide, making encounters likely.
“We have quite a dense population of black bears really everywhere from Pagosa over toward Dolores and in between. There’s great habitat, and we know we have a good amount of a healthy black bear population living here,” Livingston said.
The Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office said bear sightings have occurred as early as January or March in years with low snowpack.
The office reminded residents of a Dolores town ordinance requiring trash to be secured in bear-proof containers. Failure to comply can result in court appearances, fees or a $499 fine.
Waiting too long to contact wildlife officials, sometimes even after a bear has returned multiple times, can make intervention more difficult.
“The earlier people call us to report their activity, the less likely it is we’re going to have to set a trap and move a bear,” Livingston said. “We like to be called the first time you have an issue, so we can try to figure it out.”
awatson@the‑journal.com
