Colorado Bear Coalition

Newsletter

July 2026



On May 27, Governor Jared Polis signed HB26-1342 – Negligently Luring Bears, sponsored by Representatives Katie Stewart and Meghan Lukens and Senator Janice Marchman.

More than half of reported human-bear conflicts in Colorado result from improperly managed human attractants, such as unsecured garbage and food waste. Until now, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) had limited enforcement tools to address this type of repeated negligence. HB26-1342 gives CPW stronger authority to deter irresponsible behavior before it leads to conflicts that put both bears and people at risk.


The legislation was identified as a priority by CPW's Human-Bear Working Group (of which CBC is an active participant) and represents an important step toward reducing preventable human-bear conflicts across Colorado.

"Human-bear conflict is a human problem, not a bear problem, and this law focuses directly on careless human behavior—giving officers a realistic path to holding repeat offenders accountable before bears pay the price. This bill gives Colorado's law enforcement the tools to ensure that one person's repeated negligence doesn't put an entire community at risk. That is a win for bears and the people who share their habitat."

— Brenda Lee, Executive Director, Colorado Bear Coalition

Colorado Bear Coalition is especially proud to have championed the effort that ultimately led to HB26-1342. In 2023, we first brought the need for stronger enforcement tools to the attention of CPW leadership and the Governor's Office after recognizing a gap in Colorado's bear management laws. As discussions continued, the CPW Human-Bear Working Group identified the issue as a legislative priority, and CPW, legislators, and stakeholders collaborated to develop the legislation that was ultimately signed into law. CBC remained actively engaged throughout the process and is proud to have helped bring this important legislation across the finish line.


Key Provisions of HB26-1342


• Changes the language in C.R.S. 33-6-131 from "intentionally" luring bears to "knowingly" luring bears.
• Eliminates the requirement that first-time offenders receive only a warning.
• Increases the maximum fine for a third or subsequent offense from $2,000 to $5,000.
• Retains the exemption for agricultural activities as defined in C.R.S. 35-1-102.
  

Read the CPW news release here and Governor Polis' news release here to learn more about the new law.

On April 30, Marisa Wesker, a third-year law student at the University of Denver, presented Colorado Bear Coalition's work at the Northern Rockies Conservation Symposium in Jackson, Wyoming.


This year's symposium brought together resource management professionals, students, scientists, elected officials, and conservation leaders to explore how to build resilient conservation networks in a changing democracy.


Marisa's presentation highlighted the three pillars of CBC's work—prevention, science-based management, and human-bear coexistence—and demonstrated how our collaborative approach can be adapted and applied in communities facing similar wildlife challenges. 

The symposium provided an excellent opportunity to share CBC's successes, exchange ideas with conservation professionals from across the region, and build relationships that can strengthen future conservation efforts.

Colorado Bear Coalition was honored to co-present with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the City of Aspen Parks & Open Space at this year's Partners in the Outdoors Conference.


The conference brings together land managers, conservation organizations, outdoor recreation leaders, local governments, and community partners from across Colorado to collaborate on responsible and sustainable stewardship of our state's outdoor spaces.


Bears and People: Shared Landscapes

Our presentation highlighted the importance of collaboration in reducing human-bear conflicts and demonstrated how community organizations, local governments, and CPW can work together to develop and implement effective solutions that protect both people and bears.


Presenters

• John Livingston, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
• Brenda Lee, Colorado Bear Coalition
• Lara Xaiz, City of Aspen Parks & Open Space

Colorado Bear Coalition was proud to participate in this year's Sierra Club Earth Day celebration in Keystone. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet local community members, share information about living responsibly in bear country, and be part of a celebration dedicated to protecting our environment. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth!

Missed our recent radio interviews? You can stream the full conversations below.

KGNU News (June 1, 2026)

Brenda discusses practical ways to minimize human-

bear conflicts as bears emerge from hibernation.

Colorado Public Radio (March 2026)

Hear Brenda talk about the rise in human-bear conflicts, what's driving the trend, and what we can all do to help keep bears wild and communities safe. (Interview begins at the 11-minute mark.)


Every action makes a difference! Help reduce human-bear conflicts in your neighborhood by taking these simple steps:


• Secure your trash.
• Contact your local trash hauler for a bear-resistant trash cart.
• Store your trash in a bear-resistant enclosure
  
• Remove bird feeders until bears are hibernating.
• Replace feeders with bird attracting plants
  
• Install electric fencing around beehives and chickens.
  
• Educate your neighbors.
• Share bear safety information with your community. Use Nextdoor, HOA forums, flyers.
  

Together, we can help keep bears wild and our communities safe.


Every donation helps create proactive solutions that protect both people and bears.


Your support allows Colorado Bear Coalition to reduce human-bear conflicts through education, advocacy, community outreach, and collaborative conservation efforts. 

Together, we can help keep communities safe while giving more bears the opportunity to remain wild.


Please consider making a gift today. We couldn't do this work without your generosity and commitment to coexistence.


Thank you for being part of the effort to keep bears wild and alive.