Hungry black bears are venturing into homes, businesses and populated areas across the U.S. West in record numbers, as drought and dwindling natural food supplies push the animals closer to people.
Colorado has recorded more than 7,000 bear sightings in 2026, already surpassing the state’s previous full-year record set in 2019, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
In one startling incident this month, Colorado roofer Matt Errico was sitting in his home near Granby when he heard noises. He discovered two young bears, roughly the size of golden retrievers, standing in his hallway. After a brief standoff, the bears fled through the front door.
The same bears were later spotted inside a local vape shop.
Across the region, bears have been seen near a school in Santa Fe, New Mexico, climbing trees near a Denver farmers market and entering residential areas. The encounters are being fueled by an exceptionally dry winter that has sharply reduced plants, grasses, berries and nuts, which account for roughly 90% of bears’ diets, wildlife experts say.