Over 3,500 human-bear conflicts in one state in a single year might sound like a lot to you, especially if you live in a state without bears, but in Colorado, that's considered a vast improvement.
According to a press release, Colorado Parks and Wildlife received 3,526 reports of bear interactions in 2023, a 21 percent decrease from the average number of reports received in the preceding four years. Of these interactions, 33 bears were relocated, and 63 euthanized. The report comes with an interactive video, which you can watch below, which reveals that contrary to common belief, bears do not strictly hibernate in winter and can be active in any month of year, meaning that all Colorado hikers should be prepared to meet a bear in any season.
