Living close to nature is a major draw in Colorado. But it also increases the likelihood of human-wildlife conflicts.
On Monday, the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee advanced legislation aimed at reducing those conflicts, particularly between humans and bears.
HB26-1342, introduced by Reps. Katie Stewart of Durango and Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs, passed on an 8-4 vote, according to a news release from Stewart’s office. The two representatives partnered with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop the bill, Stewart said.
CPW recorded 5,299 human-bear encounters in 2025, a 15% increase from previous years.
“Bears are creatures of habit. They learn where to return for food resources,” Stewart said. “Making sure trash and other items are secure keeps not only bears safe, but humans, too. This is a public safety issue.”
The bill would increase penalties for improper trash disposal that attracts bears, according to the release.
It would expand the law to include negligent behavior, remove a requirement that wildlife officers must prove intent of luring bears, raise penalties for third or subsequent offenses of luring bears from $2,000 to $5,000, and allow officers to issue fines of up to $200 for first-time offenses.
Stewart said beefing up the financial penalties was a good way to get people to pay more attention to how they dispose of trash.
“We can’t do much more to educate the bears, but we can do more to educate the humans,” Stewart said. “The financial penalty brings out awareness, and they'll think twice about not having a secure trash can and securing their food.”
Stewart said protecting wildlife is important, especially as climate change, drought, wildfires and changes to habitat drive critters toward human settlements in search of food.
“We need to be really mindful of that,” Stewart said. “We get to live in the mountains and have access to so many amazing things. But with that comes the responsibility of making sure that we’re responsible around wildlife, because it’s their home too.”
To keep bears and people safe, the most important thing residents can do is never feed or approach the animals, the release said. Additionally, removing bird feeders, storing pet food inside, cleaning grills of food residue, and securing food, garbage and recycling can help reduce the likelihood of attracting bears.
CPW requests that any bear activity in residential areas be reported to the agency and shared among communities.
“See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? Tell your neighbors and share information on how to prevent conflicts with bears,” the release said. “Bears have adapted to living near people; now it’s up to us to adapt to living near bears.”
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
