If you live in Summit County, you’ve probably made your home in black bear habitat. Black bears lived in Summit County and our adjacent wilderness areas alongside the native Ute people since long before the first pioneers arrived. Today, these beautiful and complex creatures share their habitat with an ever-encroaching human population. 

This time of year, it’s especially important to take extra common-sense precautions to protect our ursine neighbors. In 2023 alone, wildlife officers had to euthanize 63 black bears in Colorado and relocate another 33. Sadly, over 90% of these were due to human-made causes.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, “Most conflicts between people and bears can be traced to human food, garbage, pet food, bird seed, or other attractants. When people allow bears to find food, a bear’s natural drive to eat can overcome its wariness of humans. Bears that get too comfortable around people can destroy property or even become a threat to human safety. Habituated bears must often be killed.”

Around early November, as natural food sources dwindle, black bears begin to enter their dens and start torpor, a state resembling hibernation but during which they may occasionally waken. Between now and then, black bears have one main job — eating enough to survive four months of hibernation. During this stage, called hyperphagia, a bear’s daily consumption jumps from an average of 5,000 calories a day to 20,000 — the rough equivalent of 30 bacon cheeseburgers! 

Right now, black bears need to gain 2-4 pounds a day. Since over 90% of a bear’s natural diet consists of grasses, fruits, nuts, and plants, with the rest primarily insects, scavenged carcasses, and small animals, bears must eat up to 22 hours daily to meet their caloric needs. 

Human food sources tend to be more calorie dense and consequently highly attractive to bears. And bears have an incredible sense of smell — they can pick up scents from well over a mile away, with some estimates of even 20 miles. In fact, bears have the best sense of smell of any North American land mammal, about seven times better than a bloodhound’s and over 2,000 times better than ours.

Curious, intelligent and resourceful, black bears also have great memories. Once they find a food source, they’ll return. If that source is near or in human homes, cars, or campgrounds, negative human-bear conflict results. 

Following a few simple rules will help ensure that we and our homes don’t endanger bears:

• Never feed bears or put out food for wildlife that attracts bears. 
• Secure pets and pet food out of bears’ reach. Remove bird feeders.
• Thoroughly clean barbecues after each use.
• Lock bear-accessible windows and doors.
• Don’t leave food, trash, coolers, air fresheners, or anything smelly in your vehicle. Lock up.
• Never place garbage out the night before pickup. Keep containers clean.
• If a bear approaches your property, try to chase it away — yell, blow a whistle, clap your hands or pans.
• Be aware of places bears may den on your property and inform Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

When hiking or camping, leash your dog — otherwise, they may resemble an easy snack or bring a disturbed bear to you. Leashing is the law in our Summit County wilderness areas, home to most of our favorite trails. Campers should store food and anything that smells in a bear-proof container away from tents.

Let’s respect bears and understand that we live in their habitat. Don’t be responsible for the death of these amazing creatures. Do your part to bear-proof yourself, your home and your property. Let’s keep bears alive and healthy, and keep wildlife wild.

Frances Hartogh is a volunteer wilderness ranger and board member for the Eagle Summit Wilderness Alliance.