Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

Black Bears are the only bears found in Colorado. They vary widely in color from black to cinnamon to light brown. Adults may weigh as much as 450 pounds. A mature bear will be about 3 feet tall at the shoulders; 5 feet or more standing on its hind legs. Bears are often seen in the Bear Creek watershed during spring, summer and fall, and they are occasionally seen in the winter since Black Bears don’t truly hibernate. They are omnivores and will eat just about anything. They can smell a good meal, including your trash, BBQ grill or cooler, from 5 miles away!

For more information about Black Bears go to:

• Bear Safety (US Forest Service)
• Living With Wildlife-Bears (Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
• Do Bears Actually Hibernate? (Science World)

Also worth knowing: There are no Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) in Colorado. The last verified sighting of a Grizzly Bear in Colorado was in 1979 near Pagosa Springs.