A bear spotted ambling around Colorado State University in Fort Collins was expelled from campus Tuesday morning, the latest in a surge of bruin encounters as the animals try to bulk up for winter amid the state’s record-setting drought.
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CSU officials first reported the bear on Monday but were unable to find the animal until Tuesday morning, when someone saw it near Eddy Hall, an academic building, at 8:40 a.m.
The bear was safely secured and was in the process of being removed from campus by 10:40 a.m., CSU officials said.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has received almost double the number of bear sightings and conflicts in the first eight months of 2026 compared to the same period last year — 6,129 as of Aug. 13, compared to 3,115 in 2025.
Colorado bear encounters have nearly doubled over 2025
State officials say bears are wandering farther into residential areas this year to search for food because widespread drought has resulted in fewer natural food sources like berries, acorns and plants.
Colorado is home to an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 black bears, and CPW’s bear safety tips include never feeding or approaching bears; securing food, garbage and recycling; removing bird feeders when bears are active; never leaving pet food outside; cleaning and storing grills; and alerting neighbors to bear activity.
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