A black bear in Colorado died after being trapped for several days inside a vehicle in Colorado Springs, destroying the car's interior in its attempts to escape. The roughly 300-pound bear was discovered dead in the car, which officials believe it had entered through an unlocked door.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Officer Travis Sauder explained that bears are capable of opening unlocked car doors while searching for food but can become trapped if a door closes behind them. "Typically what happens is they pull the door open, get in, get their food and then they leave," Sauder told The Denver Gazette. "But sometimes the door closes behind them, and they have trouble figuring out how to get out."

This incident occurs amid an unusually active year for bear sightings and conflicts in Colorado. Between January 1 and August 13, CPW received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts, nearly double the 3,115 recorded during the same period last year. This number already surpasses the 5,299 reports from all of 2025.

Wildlife officials attribute the rise in encounters to poor natural food conditions. Reduced food sources due to low snowpack and late freezes have prompted bears to travel farther and take greater risks in search of calories. This is particularly concerning as bears enter hyperphagia, a period of increased food consumption to build fat reserves for winter.

CPW advises residents in bear country to remove potential attractants from their homes, campsites, and vehicles. Food, trash, and scented items can draw bears. Sauder emphasized treating vehicles with the same caution as campsites, ensuring all food and scented products, such as pet food, snacks, or flavored gum, are removed. "Treat your vehicle the way you would a campsite by removing any attractants," he stated. CPW also warns against intentionally feeding bears, as it can diminish their natural fear of humans and increase the likelihood of conflicts.

This year is on track to record the highest number of reported bear-human interactions since CPW began digital tracking in 2019.