Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers responded to a bear attack in Steamboat Springs on Thursday after a bear scraped a local resident’s knee, states a Friday news release. 

The adult victim was sleeping in a backyard patio chair Thursday afternoon when the victim saw a bear approaching. The person did not move so as to not alarm the bear, “even as the bear huffed and popped its jaw.” 

The bear then reached out and scraped the victim’s knee before a neighbor deployed bear spray, after which point the bear did not reengage. 

The victim, whose personal details are not being released out of respect for their privacy, had minor injuries and did not seek professional medical care. 

The news release did not state whether CPW officials euthanized the bear.

CPW officials remind members of the public that bears are currently “extremely active” across Colorado as they enter hyperphagia, a period of intense feeding before hibernation. 

Last winter’s critically low snowpack, a late-spring frost, a staggering wildfire season and widespread drought have led to a record number of black bear conflicts and reports across Colorado as bears move closer to populated areas in search of calories. 

Statewide, as of Aug. 31, CPW had received over 8,600 reports of bear sightings and activity — surpassing the total number for all 12 months of 2025. The agency has relocated 98 bears as of Aug. 31, compared to 33 last year. It had killed 294 bears compared to 83 through Aug. 31 of last year.

In CPW’s northwest region, the agency had received 3,474 reports of bear activity as of Aug. 31, a nearly 173% increase from the first eight months of 2025.

CPW officials ask residents to take the following “BearWise” steps to prevent conflicts: 

• Never feed or approach bears. Intentionally feeding wildlife is illegal. It teaches them to approach homes and lose their natural fear of humans.
• Safely store trash, animal feed and other attractants. Lock up trash receptacles and food scraps to eliminate the powerful odors that attract wildlife to residential properties.
• Never leave pet food outdoors. Feed domestic pets indoors or thoroughly clean up bowls immediately after any outdoor feeding.
• Clean and store outdoor grills. Burn off grease and food particles after every use, and store grills inside a secure garage or shed.
• Secure windows and doors. Keep windows and doors locked, especially when leaving the property. Keep car windows rolled up and doors locked, even if you are just stepping out for a few short minutes.  
• Know what to do if you encounter a black bear. If you see a bear before it notices you, don’t approach. Stand still, and quietly move away. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. Never run; running may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, hold your ground, wave your arms and yell “Hey Bear” until it leaves. If a black bear makes contact with you, do not play dead; fight back aggressively.