Bears are amazing animals who also call Durango and Southwest Colorado home and we are currently seeing a burst of activity from our local bears as they prepare to hibernate. Living in or visiting Durango means sharing space with wildlife and learning how to coexist responsibly is critical for the health and safety of both humans and bears.
What Kind of Bears are in Durango?
Black bears are the only type of bear found in Durango and the greater Southwest Colorado area. Despite the name, their fur can range from light brown to cinnamon/reddish, dark brown, to nearly black. They generally avoid human interaction unless they have been food-conditioned, or they or their babies feel threatened.
Adult black bears stand an average of 3 feet while on all fours and over 5 feet when upright. Males average 275 pounds and females about 175 pounds. However, their weight fluctuates depending on the season with some bulking up to 400+ pounds in the fall as they prepare for hibernation. A keen sense of smell is their primary sense, and they also have great eyesight - including night vision, and better-than-human hearing. They are omnivores that eat both plants and meat. They can run up to 35mph, climb trees, swim, and navigate challenging terrain extremely well, allowing them to thrive in this environment.
In Durango, bear sightings are fairly common at night from mid-to-late spring through late fall. Even if you don’t see one directly, overturned trash cans and scat are everyday reminders that bears move through our residential areas regularly. Learning how to reduce their access to food and trash in order to coexist in our area, is part of Bear Smart Durango’s mission.
Bear Smart Durango
A local organization founded in 2003, Bear Smart Durango aims to prevent human/bear conflict through education, programs, and other proactive measures. By working closely with the City of Durango, local HOAs, and directly with citizens, they are able to implement achievable ways to limit human and bear interactions. Monetary initiatives, a collection of free resources and programs, and community collaboration has proven impactful with many positive results for the Durango area.
Tips for Being Bear Smart in Durango
Bear activity peaks between April - October, and it’s important to prepare in advance and take preventative measures to eliminate the potential for conflict. Bear’s terrific noses are most commonly attracted to trash, bird feeders, and domestic fruit which can lead them right to your home.
Trash Cans
Many residents have bear-proof trash cans or store them inside a garage or shed. Don’t put it out at the curb until the morning of pick up and occasionally wash the container with bleach to help eliminate odors.
Bird Feeders
Although bird feeders can increase your sightings of native birds, they can also increase black bear visits. Both hummingbird feeders and seed feeders offer huge caloric benefits to bears and are usually kept close to your home. Since bear activity happens all day long, bringing the feeders in at night does not solve the problem completely. Hanging flowers and bird baths are a safer option to attract only the birds.
Fruit Trees
Having your own fruit trees has many benefits but they are very attractive to bears. If you have a fruit bearing tree in your yard, be sure to maintain it by picking all of the ripe fruit and collecting any pieces that have fallen to decrease the luring scents. Ideally, if you are planting fruit trees, choose a spot farther away from your home to create a buffer. Another option is adding an electric fence around your orchard or yard. Other items to protect are gardens, bee hives, composts, chickens and other livestock, outdoor grills, and pet food/feeding.
Bears have been known to break into cars, sheds, and even homes when food-conditioned. This resourceful mammal can operate some types of doorknobs and can cause property damage with their big bodies. Using rounded door knobs and keeping your doors locked limits their access, as well as making sure that vehicle windows and doors are closed and locked and don’t leave food and drinks in your car.
Unfortunately, humans are the leading cause of bear deaths. While starvation, disease, wildfire, and other bears are also factors, car accidents, electrocution, illegal shooting, and euthanizations are the most common reasons. If a bear has become too aggressive around humans, Colorado Parks & Wildlife will get involved and either relocate or euthanize the bear. Taking steps to avoid bears' access and therefore temptation to cause any harm or damage is the best way to care for both them and your own property. Bear Smart has a Bear Activity Report for citizens to add sightings for collaborative measures.
Outdoor Recreation
Whenever you’re out hiking, biking, camping, or even driving around, it’s important to be aware and prepared for bear activity. Especially camping, be sure you have the right bear proof containers and coolers and properly store any food. Bear bells, spray, and noise makers can be effective deterrents as well.
No matter where you are or what you’re doing in Southwest Colorado, wildlife can be present, which is part of the magic of our area. Having knowledge and protection in place is important whether you’re visiting or living in the La Plata County area. Please contact The Durango Team at The Wells Group for more homeownership and lifestyle information.
