On the morning of September 2nd, residents near Barnes Road and Austin Bluffs Parkway in Colorado Springs woke to an unexpected visitor: a 175-pound black bear wandering through their backyards. The bear, drawn by the scent of bird feeders and chicken coops, climbed fences and trees as it explored five different properties in the East Springs neighborhood.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers responded swiftly after receiving reports of the bear’s movements. The animal had perched itself in a blue spruce tree when officers arrived. With assistance from the Colorado Springs Police Department, CPW safely immobilized the bear and transported it to a trailer for relocation.

After tagging the bear and administering a “wake-up” drug, wildlife officials released it into a more suitable habitat within the Southeast Region of Colorado. CPW emphasized the importance of being “BearWise,” reminding residents to remove attractants like pet food, bird feeders, and unsecured trash from their yards. These simple steps can prevent future encounters and keep both humans and wildlife safe.

The incident serves as a vivid reminder that even in urban pockets of Colorado Springs, nature is never far away—and that coexistence requires vigilance.

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