Colorado has killed 294 bears this year, more than 3 times the number killed last year

Telling stories that matter in a dynamic, evolving state. Nearly 300 black bears have been euthanized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife this year in a startling response to a record number of human-bear contacts driven by wildfire and drought. Wildlife officers put down 294 bears by Aug. 31, compared with 83 euthanized through August last year, the state announced Friday. The agency said it was reporting bear numbers ahead of the normal annual report because “the public has expressed strong interest” in the fate of the state’s hungry bears.

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Scoop News DeskColorado · Published Friday, September 4, 2026 at 4:51 PM UTCUpdated Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 5:07 PM UTC

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This year, 98 bears have been relocated, compared with 33 at this time last year, in addition to the spike in euthanization. “Relocation and euthanization options are exercised for bears that have been hit by motor vehicles, are found suffering from poor health and body condition, have attacked humans, or have entered homes or other structures,” a Colorado Parks and Wildlife statement said. Drop us a note at tips@coloradosun.com Colorado has killed 294 bears this year, more than 3 times the number killed last year - The Colorado Sun.

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