Let’s be the kind of community that looks out for each other – and for the bears

If you’ve lived in Durango for more than a minute, you know we share our beautiful mountain town with some pretty wild neighbors – black bears. And while they’re majestic to see from a distance, they’re not so majestic when they’re knocking over trash cans, dragging garbage across the street, or making themselves at home in our neighborhoods.

This summer, bear activity has been unusually high. Why? An unusually dry summer has hampered their foraging at higher elevations, which makes our trash just too tempting. Bears have an incredible sense of smell, and once they find an easy meal, they’ll keep coming back. That’s not just a nuisance – it’s dangerous for both people and bears.

The city of Durango has taken steps to help, but we can’t do it alone. We need your help to keep bears wild and our community safe.

It starts with the trash can. Approximately 80% of the city’s cans are wildlife-resistant, and more are on the way. If you don’t already have a wildlife-resistant trash container, you can request one through the city. These cans are designed to keep bears out and trash in. You can find the request form and more info on our Wildlife and Garbage webpage at durangoco.gov.

But even the best bear-resistant containers won’t work if they’re overflowing, unlocked, damaged or left out too early. That’s why we’re asking all residents to follow these simple steps:

These small actions make a big difference. A bear that finds no food reward will move on. A bear that finds a buffet will be back – and may eventually have to be relocated or euthanized. No one wants that.

The city has code-enforcement officers who respond to reports of bears, but their priority is education. Issuing citations is a last resort, because enforcement alone won’t solve the problem. This approach works as long as we have a communitywide commitment. That means neighbors helping neighbors, businesses doing their part, and all of us staying alert. Our 2018 city ordinance spells out the expectations from residents and can be found on durangoco.gov.

One of the best ways for the public to help is to keep us in the loop on what is happening in your neighborhood. If you spot a bear or see a trash can that’s become a bear magnet, please report it using our SeeClickFix portal at durangoco.gov. It’s quick, easy, and helps our team respond faster and more effectively. The more we know, the better we can protect both people and wildlife.

We’re lucky to live in a place where nature is right outside our door. But that comes with responsibility. Keeping bears out of our trash isn’t just about avoiding a mess – it’s about respecting the wild animals we share this land with.

So let’s work together. Let’s be the kind of community that doesn’t just wait for someone else to fix the problem. Let’s be the kind of community that rolls up its sleeves, secures its trash, and looks out for each other – and for the bears.

Thanks for doing your part, Durango.

Mayor Gilda Yazzie is Navajo (Diné), a longtime resident of Durango and Fort Lewis College graduate with a degree in business administration. Durango’s first Navajo councilor and mayor, she has worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal, state and tribal agencies. She has also lived in Washington, D.C., where she worked on Capitol Hill on women’s rights and racial equality issues.

Mayor Gilda Yazzie is a longtime resident of Durango and a Fort Lewis College graduate with a degree in business administration. She has worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal, state and tribal agencies. She has also lived in Washington, D.C., where she worked on Capitol Hill on women’s rights and racial equality issues. She is Navajo (Diné).