Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are seeking local input as the agency works to update its black bear management plan for Northwest Colorado.

The agency will hold an open house on Monday in Yampa from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Yampa Ranger District office at 300 Roselawn Ave.

“At this point, we are in the drafting process and want to hear from the public about the bear population, concerns, and management in B-16 over the next 10 years,” said CPW Wildlife Biologist Elissa Slezak.

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The “B-16” area referenced by Slezak encompasses all of Grand and Summit counties and portions of southern Routt County.

“We have already received great feedback from our first two public meetings … and are looking forward to hearing what people have to say in Yampa,” the wildlife biologist added.

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The process for preparing an updated 10-year management plan for black bears in the region is designed to integrate the plans and intentions of CPW with the concerns and ideas of land management agencies and members of the public.

The herd management plan is used to establish management objectives for the black bear population in terms of population size, range and annual mortality thresholds, according to CPW.

The plan also identifies significant issues and human conflicts in addition to management strategies and techniques to meet wildlife agency objectives.

At Monday’s open house in Yampa, members of the public can learn more about the current population and proposed plan, ask questions of staff and provide written or verbal feedback.

There are an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 bears in Colorado, with CPW’s Northwest region hosting the state’s largest bear population.

CPW registered 1,228 bear reports in the state’s Northwest region in 2023, a 35% reduction from the prior year. But the wildlife agency said it recorded “an unreasonable number of bears” entering homes last year despite “good natural forage in the area.”

From 2019 to 2023, CPW received more than 21,310 reported sightings and conflicts with bears. Nearly one-third of those reports involved trash cans and dumpsters as an attractant.

The wildlife agency last month announced $1 million in grant funding for projects that reduce conflict with bears in local communities. Deadlines for applications are due May 24.

This competitive grant program aims to produce innovative solutions to human-bear conflicts that can be replicated elsewhere in the state.

Local governments, non-governmental organizations, HOAs, community groups, businesses, tribes, universities and individuals are eligible to receive funding for grants between $50,000 and $500,000.

More information is available at CPW.state.co.us.