Bear activity is entering peak season in our area. This year seems to be more eventful than usual for bears in southern Colorado but the animals are now entering their most active season. 

As fall approaches, bears eat and drink almost constantly to add weight for winter hibernation. This often leads to more potentially dangerous bear-human contact, and an increase in bears rummaging through trash dumpsters. 

In Aspen last week, a 400-pound bear attacked a human, biting a restaurant manager as he tried to scare the animal away from an open dumpster.  It was the third bear attack in Aspen this year. 

In Colorado Springs, a hiking area was temporarily closed after a threat posed by an aggressive bear. 

On social media overnight, Salida residents reported a bear in the downtown area.