CPW's Southwest Region responds to two reported bear attacks in recent days
Sept. 14, 2026
DURANGO, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are investigating two reported black bear attacks that have occurred since Friday in South Fork and Durango.
- Evidence suggests a black bear bit a woman on the right forearm through her tent around 5:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11 at the Rio Grande National Forest’s Park Creek Campground near South Fork.
- A black bear entered a condo building through a bedroom window and scratched a 17-year-old woman inside around 2 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 on Escalante Drive in Durango.
Here is more information on each incident:
Park Creek Campground
CPW received a report at 6:22 a.m. that a woman had called the South Fork Police Department after being bitten earlier that morning while inside her tent at the Park Creek Campground, with the offending animal outside of her tent.
A puncture wound on her right arm consistent with a black bear bite was treated by Emergency Medical Services, and the woman received follow-up treatment at the Rio Grande Hospital.
CPW District Wildlife Manager Jeremy Gallegos met the woman at the hospital and collected a swab sample from the woman’s injury.
The woman reported that something hit her tent while she was inside. She was then bitten on the arm. Although she could not see what was outside the tent, she described the animal as large and heard a growl.
CPW officers responded to the campground where the woman’s tent, sleeping bag, and a few other items remained. There were holes and marks on the tent wall indicating a bite mark, along with mud and dirt smeared on both sides of the tent wall left by an animal. On the tent wall opposite the bite mark, there were three claw marks and scratches and dirt that left a paw impression. Several dark hairs were recovered outside of the tent. All indications were consistent with a bear.
The Rio Grande National Forest closed the campground for the remainder of the weekend, and it seasonally closed for the year on Sept. 14.
CPW has concluded its investigation into this incident. CPW did not capture the offending animal but determined there is no continued threat to public health and safety at this time.
“The bite in this incident was more likely an act of surprise than aggression,” said Area Wildlife Manager Rick Basagoitia of the Monte Vista office. “There is no history of conflict or damage. This location is isolated and now closed. The potential for threat is never zero, but it is significantly reduced in this situation.”
Durango
CPW officers in Durango received a report Sunday of a bear attack at a condo on Escalante Drive near Home Depot.
A 17-year-old woman reported that around 2 a.m. Sunday, a black bear entered her bedroom through a window that was cracked open. The bear ripped off the window screen and opened the window all the way before entering. As it entered the room, it ripped down the curtain and woke up the sleeping woman.
The woman said she pulled up her blankets and hid when she saw the bear fully enter the room. The bear reportedly then walked over to the bedside table and began to sniff the woman’s head under the blankets. The woman made a noise, and she said the bear abruptly made a huffing sound and then quickly swiped her as she lay under the covers. She said she felt the bear’s paw hit her stomach.
The woman said she then screamed and sat up, and the bear ran to the foot of her bed. She said it briefly paused and then exited the room back through the window it had come through.
However, she said the bear immediately re-entered the room. She then stood up and began screaming and yelling. The bear then turned around and exited the room again and did not return.
CPW officers interviewed the woman, who self-treated three scratch marks the bear left on her stomach. District Wildlife Managers also noted bruising where she had been swiped.
“Based on what we know happened in this encounter, the woman is very lucky she had multiple blankets covering her when the bear swiped her,” said District Wildlife Manager Luke Clancy.
Clancy and fellow officers collected bear saliva samples from the window screen. He also noted there was an outdoor couch set in front of the window on the outside of the residence that had a puncture where the bear had stepped. Possible bear hair was also collected from the couch and window frame. The window curtain also had claw marks, and bear scat was collected outside of the residence.
CPW has set a trap at the location. Monday morning, a bear entered another nearby residence. CPW officers will have a presence in the area Monday with the intent to catch and remove the bear.
“This is a human health and safety issue that we take seriously,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta of the Durango office. “This bear has exhibited behavior that threatens human health and safety. It has shown that it is not afraid to enter homes multiple times now, and it is likely this behavior will continue. We want residents to make sure they are closing and locking their doors and windows during this high human-bear conflict year in addition to securing all outside attractants.”
Colorado is experiencing an unprecedented bear conflict year, largely because of drought conditions depleting natural food sources for bears. During this time of hyperphagia, bear activity is expected to increase while they search for 20,000 calories per day before denning. Bears can take greater risks in seeking out food during this time, driving them into neighborhoods and populated areas.
To prevent bear conflicts and encourage them to find food away from humans, keep trash secured at all times. Lock windows, doors, garages and vehicles to discourage break-ins. Take down bird feeders and never feed or leave out food for bears, as feeding wildlife is illegal and contributes to their habituation. Report bear activity and conflicts to CPW.
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