COLORADO - Colorado is home to a large population of black bears, with numbers estimated at 17,000-20,000 in the state. As humans venture into Colorado’s great outdoors to spend quality time in nature, it is important to remember that bears and humans can and do live in harmony in our shared outdoor spaces when humans take proactive steps to avoid conflicts with bears.

Camping - When camping in bear country, the easiest way to avoid bears is to ensure that nothing in your campsite has a smell that will attract them. 

Safely store food, beverages and toiletries in campsite lockers called bear boxes (if provided), in bear-proof containers away from your tent or, as a last resort, locked in the trunk of your vehicle.
Stash your trash. Put all trash in bear-proof trash receptacles or bear canisters; treat your trash as if it is food - to bears, there is no difference.

Keep a clean campsite. Scrape grill grates after use and clean used dishes. Store used dishes and utensils just as you would your food.

Lock cars and RVs whenever you leave your site and at night. Ensure all windows are tightly closed.
What if a bear tries to enter a campsite? Try to haze it away with loud noises such as yelling, banging pots and pans together or use your car horn or an air horn to scare the bear away. Notify CPW park staff if a bear enters a campsite. As an extra precaution, carry bear spray with you when you go camping.

Hiking - Understanding bear behaviors and your surroundings can help avoid unwanted encounters with wildlife on trails.

Stay alert at all times. Leave your headphones back at your campsite, be extra cautious at dawn and dusk, and pay closer attention to areas with noise from running water or heavy winds.

Never feed or approach a bear.

Double bag food and pack out all food waste (including apple cores or banana peels) to avoid encouraging bears to see trails as a food source.

Respect forage areas. If your usual trail runs through berry patches, oak brush or other known food sources, be extra vigilant.