Colorado logs record 7,000+ bear sightings in 2026 as bears enter homes, towns

In recent months, severe drought conditions in the American West have driven malnourished bears into urban areas in search of food. With natural vegetation dwindling, bears have turned to human settlements, often scavenging through trash cans. These encounters, which typically start with easily preventable issues like unsecured rubbish bins or unattended bird feeders, are becoming more frequent as the population grows in the region.