Colorado wildlife officials are urging residents to secure trash and other potential food sources as bear sightings surge across the state, and a new law gives officers stronger tools to penalize people who leave attractants accessible.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has received more than 6,000 reports of bear sightings so far this year, which is roughly double the same period last year.
Wildlife officials say recent drought conditions have reduced natural food sources in parts of Colorado, pushing bears out of the mountains and into communities in search of food…