DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife is giving $1 million through a grant program to various Colorado communities that need to reduce human-bear conflicts.
The Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant Program will receive applications through the May 24 deadline. In total, CPW is offering $1 million in grants to reduce conflicts with bears through innovative solutions that can be replicated in other parts of the state. Funding will be distributed in a competitive grant process later this spring.
“Colorado is known for our incredible wild spaces and the animals that call our state home. These grants will help support more bear-proof homes and neighborhoods to ensure that people and animals can live together and avoid conflict that impacts humans and animals,” said Gov. Jared Polis in a release.
According to CPW data, trash has been the top reason bears have conflicts with Coloradans, with 3,526 human-bear conflicts reported in 2023. That is down from 2022 when the agency reported 4,147 conflicts.
However, there are comparatively few conflicts given that CPW estimates the bear population in 2023 was between 17-20,000 of the massive mammals. Citizens can report bears causing trouble in urban areas by calling CPW.
In April 2019, Colorado launched a bear reporting system to track and quantify bear activity and conflicts across the state. Since it was implemented, CPW has taken 21,310 reports of sightings and conflicts with bears.
Bear-human grants have helped reduce conflicts
“Human-bear conflict measures cannot be successful without collaboration between local communities, wildlife managers and individuals,” said CPW Grant Manager Travis Long in the grant program announcement. “We are excited about this program because interest from the public is high, with many communities taking advantage of the opportunities this funding provides and implementing projects to help reduce conflicts with bears.”
Eligible applications include local governments, NGOs, HOAs, community groups, businesses, tribes, universities and individuals. Applications can apply for grants between $50,000-$500,000.
“We have seen real results in reducing conflict in southwest Colorado communities because of resources this grant has provided in the last two years,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta of Durango. “Just this week, more bear-resistant trash containers purchased through grant funding went to a community in need north of Durango. Now in its third year, we hope to see more applicants so we can continue to expand the ability of community partners to help address conflicts at neighborhoods and campgrounds that need more assistance.”
The grants fund communities that want to reduce conflicts with bears, but don’t have the needed resources. It also helps spur conversations to bring awareness to conflict reduction and solutions.
“Human-bear conflicts are ongoing issues in Colorado, resulting in property damage and increased demands on time and effort for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and local government personnel and unfortunately sometimes the take of bears,” said Dan Gibbs, executive director of Colorado Department of Natural Resources, “I applaud CPW for continuing this grant program, and for all their hard work in the stewardship of Colorado’s wildlife. But it is also our responsibility as community members to do as much as we can to reduce impacts with bears to ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.”
This grant provides funding to communities that want to reduce conflicts with bears but lack the needed resources. The program also helps to spark the conversation around conflict reduction and brings stakeholders together to come up with solutions.
Applications are available on CPW’s website and are due by May 24 at 5 p.m. For questions or application assistance contact CPW Grant Manager Travis Long at travis.long@state.co.us. Grant recipients will be announced in July.
