An 82-year-old woman was scratched by a bear that broke into her home near Boncarbo, west of Trinidad, shortly after midnight Friday.

The woman, who has not been identified, told Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers that she was awakened by a crashing sound and her dog growling. When she opened the doors to her mudroom, a small bear leaped at her. The woman immediately pushed the bear off her and closed the double doors to the room. She estimated the bear weighed less than 100 pounds.

The bear, estimated to be a cub or yearling by CPW based on the description, then scrambled frantically around the room, climbed a shelf and exited the house by tearing through an open window screen.

The woman declined medical attention for her scratches, which were minor.

CPW Officer Bob Holder was notified of the incident later in the day and immediately began a search of the area.

“Human health and safety always remain our top priority in any incident like this, regardless of how minor the injuries are,” said Mike Brown, CPW’s Area Wildlife Manager for the region. “CPW officers are doing everything we can to locate this bear. Luckily, the victim’s injuries consist of very minor scratches.”

Under CPW policy, any bear that causes injury to a human is classified as a dangerous bear and, if captured, must be humanely euthanized.

CPW officers believe the bear may have been attracted to the woman’s home by food odors. They are urging residents in the area to be Bear Aware and to take steps to secure their garbage and other food sources.

“Bears are wild animals and can be unpredictable,” said Brown. “It is important to take steps to avoid attracting them to your property.”

Here are some tips from CPW on how to live and recreate safely in bear country:

• Be Bear Aware: Be aware of your surroundings and make noise when you are in bear country. Bears are more likely to avoid humans if they know you are there.
• Secure your food: Keep all food and garbage secure in bear-proof containers. Bears can smell food from a long distance away.
• Do not feed bears: Never intentionally feed bears, even if they seem friendly. This can make them aggressive and more likely to approach humans.
• If you see a bear: Do not approach it. Make yourself appear as large as possible and make noise to scare the bear away. If the bear does not leave, slowly back away and leave the area.

CPW is asking anyone who sees the bear to report it to the agency immediately. The bear is described as a small, cinnamon-colored black bear with a weight of less than 100 pounds.

This is the second bear attack in the Trinidad area in two weeks. But Brown said CPW does not believe the two incidents are related. This is the fourth reported bear attack in Colorado in 2023.

CPW is urging residents to be on the lookout for bears and to take steps to avoid attracting them to their property.

©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2023