Intense drought, wildfires and heat have plagued Colorado in 2026. Not only do these harsh conditions impact local communities, but they change the natural habitats bears and other wildlife rely on. Recently, Colorado residents in urban areas have reported bear sightings in higher than average numbers as natural food sources become unavailable.
“We are seeing an increased number in these reports and (bear) activity in general this year, which we are mainly attributing to drought,” said Kara Van Hoose, a public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “With the lack of snowpack and winter that we experienced last year combined with a late freeze, the natural food sources for bears have been really depleted and scarce.”
While spikes in bear activity in urban settings have been observed in past drought years, this year is unlike any recorded before, according to reporting by CSU SOURCE. Sightings have been reported across multiple cities, including Fort Collins…