UPDATE Tuesday, Sept. 21
There are more bear reports in Routt County than anywhere else in the state, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Although numbers are down statewide in 2021, CPW’s bear report numbers since the start of hyperphagia indicate the Routt County area is seeing more bear calls this year.
Bear reports received, Aug. 1 – Sept. 18
2019: 1,626 statewide | 36 for Area 10 (includes Routt County)
2020: 1,420 statewide | 20 for Area 10
2021: 689 statewide | 72 for Area 10
“We don’t know for certain yet whether that’s due to drought, lack of natural food sources or even possibly because people have been better at reporting bear conflicts,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Kris Middledorf said.
CPW is asking residents in Steamboat Springs to be especially diligent about securing trash and other attractants around your home in an area where there is known bear activity.
UPDATE Monday evening, Sept. 20
Another bear has been euthanized in Steamboat. The second bear that had been breaking into multiple homes in the area of Fish Creek Falls Road was caught over the weekend.
That’s Travis Duncan with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. He says once a bear breaks into a home or car and easily gets human food sources, and then loses its fear of humans, that’s when it is a danger and it has to be put down.
Duncan says bear calls around the state are down, but they’re way up in Steamboat and Routt County. He says to keep doors and windows shut right now because bears will try to get in. Same with garage doors. And don’t have any bird feeders out. Don’t ever feed a bear.
UPDATE Monday morning, Sept. 20 The second bear that has been breaking into homes along Fish Creek Falls Road has been trapped and removed from the area. Travis Duncan with Colorado State Patrol says bear calls are down statewide, but up in Steamboat Springs and Routt County. We’ll have more in the Steamboat Radio News on Tuesday.
UPDATE 6:30 a.m. Friday The bear trap is back in the same place but no bear is in the trap.
UPDATE at 9 p.m. Thursday Colorado Parks and Wildlife has set another trap tonight in the same neighborhood, to try to catch the second bear.
UPDATE at 12:30 p.m. Thursday
There is another bear in the neighborhood where we showed you the trapped bear this morning. It has been getting into multiple homes in the same neighborhood. This video was shot this morning by Mitchel Globe. The homeowner says this bear has tried to get into their home multiple times and has torn off the screen door. We have a call into Colorado Parks and Wildlife to see if they will be back.
A bear was trapped and taken away Thursday morning in Steamboat Springs by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It was caught in a trap late Wednesday night, that was set by CPW, in a neighborhood in the area of Fish Creek Falls Road. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officer Josh Dilley says the bear has to be euthanized, which is the worst part of his job as a wildlife officer.
Dilley wants to remind everyone to do their part when they live in a place like Steamboat. Do not have bird feeders or hummingbird feeders out at any time. Keep your garage door shut. Keep the walk-in doors to your house shut and locked, and same with the windows. Keep them shut and locked and latched. Link of video with Josh Dilley
While the bear was being taken away, a bull moose and cow were watching from the woods. Dilley also says to be careful of the moose right now, as the bull moose are going into rut.
