A Routt County man was injured in a bear attack late last night, in the Whitewood Subdivision, which is in unincorporated Routt County. Wildlife officers euthanized the sow, which attacked the man. They are looking for the cubs today, to send them to a rehabilitation facility. The full press release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife is below.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded late Sunday to a report of a man attacked by a bear at his home near Steamboat Springs in unincorporated Routt County. 

At approximately 11 p.m. on Sunday, the homeowner noted the door to his garage, where he stored birdseed and other attractants, was open. He went to close the door and upon reaching the garage, the homeowner encountered a sow and two cubs.

As the man attempted to slowly back away from the garage, the sow attacked.

The bear caused serious injuries to the homeowner, including severe lacerations to the man’s head and legs that required surgery. The victim is in stable condition and his injuries are not considered life-threatening. 

CPW wildlife officers and park rangers responded to the home and began a search for the bear and cubs. The CPW team quickly found the sow near the home. The bear was euthanized and its remains were sent to CPW’s Wildlife Health Lab for necropsy.

Wildlife officers remain in the area, searching for the two cubs. When found, officers will work to trap them and move them to a rehabilitation facility.

“This is an unfortunate reminder that we need to stay vigilant and ‘bear aware’ at all times,” said Kyle Bond, CPW district wildlife manager. “Easy access to food will always override a bear’s natural fear of people, so we humans have to stay on top of keeping all food sources secure.”

This is the first bear attack in the Steamboat Springs area this year.

Information about bearproofing your home can be found on the CPW website at cpw.state.co.us.