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Bear safety tips: Mind your trash, more

Black bears are common in Colorado, including in the Boulder foothills and, on rare occasions, campus. With winter approaching, they are out filling up on calories before hitting their dens for hibernation. 

For those living off campus, it is important to keep your outdoor living area free of bear food, which can include bird feeders, dog food and ripe fruit from trees on the property.

a black bear
Bear safety tips

  • Secure your trash. The city of Boulder has an ordinance requiring trash to be secured in bear-resistant trash cans or carts for residents in designated areas within Boulder. Learn more about the city of Boulder's Bear Protection Ordinance.
  • If your bear-resistant trash can/cart is damaged, please contact your landlord or trash removal company to request a replacement.
  • Don’t feed bears, and don’t put out food for other wildlife that attracts bears.
  • Keep all bear-accessible windows and doors closed and locked, including home, garage and vehicle doors. 
  • Don’t leave attractants such as snacks, food wrappers, gum or even scented hand lotions in your car, and don't leave pet food outside your home.
  • If you see a bear on campus, call 911. Stand still, stay calm and let the bear identify you and leave. Talk in a normal tone of voice. Be sure the bear has an escape route. If you see cubs, their mother is usually close by. Leave the area immediately.
  • Visit the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Living with Bears page or the Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks bears and mountain lions page for additional information and safety tips.

   Read more: Tips for co-existing with campus wildlife

The CU Boulder campus is home to, or frequented by, raccoons, deer, squirrels, beavers, prairie dogs and dozens of species of birds. Foxes have also been making a rebound in the area. On rare occasions, we even get visits from larger animals such as coyotes and bears. CU Boulder's Environmental Services team offers a few simple reminders about interactions between people and wildlife on campus.