Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) confirmed that a black bear died after becoming trapped inside an unlocked car in Colorado Springs. The roughly 300‑pound animal was discovered dead after authorities were alerted to the situation.
How the bear got inside
CPW wildlife officer Travis Sauder explained that bears are clever enough to open unlocked vehicle doors while searching for food. “Typically what happens is they pull the door open, get in, get their food and then they leave,” Sauder said. “But sometimes the door closes behind them, and they have trouble figuring out how to get out.”
Record‑high bear encounters in Colorado
The incident comes amid an unusually active year for bear sightings and conflicts in Colorado. CPW logged 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13, nearly double the 3,115 reports recorded during the same period last year. The total already exceeds the 5,299 reports logged for the entire 2025 season.
Officials attribute the rise to poor natural food conditions. Low snowpack and delayed freezes have reduced the availability of traditional bear food sources, forcing the animals to travel farther and take greater risks in search of calories, Sauder told The Denver Gazette. The timing is especially concerning because bears are entering hyperphagia, a period when they consume large amounts of food and water to build fat reserves for winter.
Preventing future incidents
CPW urges residents who live in bear country to treat their vehicles like campsites by removing any attractants. Food, trash, pet supplies, scented products, and even flavored bubble gum can draw a bear looking for an easy meal. “Treat your vehicle the way you would a campsite by removing any attractants,” Sauder advised.
The agency also warns against intentionally feeding bears. Animals that become accustomed to human‑provided food can lose their natural fear of people, increasing the likelihood of dangerous encounters.
What this means for the community
This year is on pace to become the highest number of reported bear‑human interactions since CPW began digitally tracking incidents in 2019. While the tragic death of the bear in Colorado Springs is a stark reminder of the challenges wildlife and residents face, officials stress that simple precautions—keeping vehicles clean and storing food securely—can reduce the risk of similar events.
CPW did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
