Be Aware of Increased Bear Activity in Early Fall

Bears have always been a part of life in Boulder. Urban bear activity typically increases in late summer and early fall as bears enter the stage of hyperphagia, a period of excessive eating, to fatten up for hibernation.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has reported high bear activity around Boulder and issues with unsecured trash and livestock acting as attractants to bears on a nightly basis. This year, we are aware of at least 15 bears, including cubs, coming into the city as they prepare for the winter. The city encourages community members, including University of Colorado Boulder students, to be extra vigilant and ensure trash containers are locked, per city ordinance, and to ensure animals and livestock are secure to protect them from bears and remove attractants. Follow these steps to stay safe and help make your home unattractive to bears:

• Use bear-resistant trash and compost bins, and make sure latches are secure and bins are not overflowing. Contact your waste hauler if you need to order or replace a bin.
• All trash and compost containers put out the night before collection are required to be in bear-resistant containers. This applies to the entire city.
• Pick ripe fruit from trees and don’t allow it to collect on the ground.
• Secure livestock, goats and chickens within an enclosure or permitted electric fence.
• Remove food wrappers, coffee cups and any item with the slightest odor from vehicles and ensure the doors are locked.
• Remove bird feeders and clean up spilled seeds on the ground.
• Do not leave pet food or dishes outdoors.
• Clean up and store outdoor grills inside after use.
• Be aware of dog leash restrictions on hiking trails.
• Report bear sightings.

We encourage community members to be vigilant about their trash containers this season, including bear-resistant trash containers. If bear resistant containers are regularly overturned or bears are still getting in, please take additional steps to keep bears out, like storing the container(s) in a garage or shed until the morning of pick up or strapping the cart to a pole or fence to keep it upright.

For more information visit www.boulderwildlifeplan.net.