Bear found dead inside vehicle prompts safety reminders in Colorado Springs
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is urging Colorado Springs residents to secure vehicles and remove food attractants after a 250-pound black bear entered an unlocked car in central Colorado Springs, damaged the vehicle and later was found dead inside, officials said Monday.
The bear was not discovered for several days and died in the vehicle amid the heat, according to the agency. Authorities say the animal's access to human food or garbage likely played a role in the encounter, and they warned that such attractants drive conflicts between people and bears.
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Lock your vehicles, keep your windows closed and refrain from leaving trash or food inside your vehicle,” the agency advised as part of its public reminders. Wildlife officers said those basic precautions can reduce the risk of dangerous encounters and protect both people and animals.
The incident arrives as Colorado has seen a rise in bear sightings and human–bear interactions this year. Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13, Colorado Parks and Wildlife recorded 6,129 reports statewide, a figure the agency says reflects an uptick in conflicts tied to human attractants such as food, pet food and garbage.
- Secure vehicles: Always lock doors and close windows when leaving a car unattended.
- Remove attractants: Do not leave food, trash or pet food in vehicles or unsecured outside.
- Report sightings: Notify Colorado Parks and Wildlife of aggressive or unusual bear behavior.
Wildlife managers also pointed to recent state legislation intended to limit human behavior that draws bears into populated areas. House Bill 26-13-42, signed into law in May, lowers the legal threshold from “intentionally” to “knowingly” luring bears with misplaced or mismanaged food or trash. Under the statute, first-time offenders may receive a warning; repeat violations — defined as three or more offenses — can carry fines up to $5,000.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Statewide bear reports (Jan. 1–Aug. 13) | 6,129 |
| New law | House Bill 26-13-42: reduces burden of proof to “knowingly” attracting bears |
| Penalty for three or more offenses | Up to $5,000 |
Local officials did not provide the exact location in central Colorado Springs where the vehicle was entered, nor did they release the timing beyond stating the incident was reported Monday night. Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed the bear’s approximate weight at 250 pounds and said the animal destroyed the vehicle before dying inside. The agency reported the carcass was not discovered for days.
Colorado Springs residents share neighborhoods with wildlife at the wildland-urban interface, where food and trash left unsecured can bring bears and other animals into contact with people. Wildlife officers emphasize that many conflicts are preventable through basic actions by residents, property managers and visitors.
Officials also noted consequences under the new law aim to change behavior through education and enforcement. For first-time infractions, officers may issue a warning or a violation based on the circumstances and whether a person knowingly created conditions likely to attract bears. Repeat offenses expose individuals to higher fines and potential criminal penalties under the statute.
For now, Colorado Parks and Wildlife asks anyone who encounters an aggressive or bold bear to contact the agency so officers can assess the situation and take appropriate action to minimize risk to residents and the animal population.
As the region heads into late summer, temperatures and food odors can increase the likelihood that animals seek calories from human sources. The agency’s advisory serves both as a public safety notice and a reminder that small changes in daily behavior can reduce dangerous interactions and protect Colorado Springs neighborhoods.
