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1. What can I do to help keep bears in Telluride safe?

• Always keep your polycart (trash can) locked.
• Bag trash tightly to contain odors.
• Clean polycart with a bleach solution.
• Keep pet food inside.
• Keep barbecue grills clean.
• Never leave food in a vehicle.
• Lock downstairs doors and windows.

If bears do not forage successfully in town, they will then move on to areas that provide them with the food they need to hibernate through the winter. Houses have been “broken into” by bears looking for food. Imagine the unpleasant surprise of coming home to a bear eating ice cream out of your freezer and the mess they created to locate the tastiest items!

Keeping the town clean also serves to minimize skunks and rodents who thrive near humans because of our messy ways.

2. What do I do if I see a bear?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has many great resources about safely recreating in Bear country.  Please look through this information carefully before you head out to hike or camp so you can safely enjoy the areas in and around Telluride.

3. Why is there a fee for keeping my trash can/dumpster unlocked?

Keeping our trash secured and out of reach of bears is one of the best ways to keep bears from becoming habituated to humans and becoming aggressive around human food sources.  The fines are in place to help encourage everyone to do the right thing when it comes to keeping bears and people safe.

Find more information about successfully living in Bear Country with Colorado Parks and Wildlife