Colorado Springs Bear Dies After Being Trapped in Unlocked Car for Days
A roughly 300-pound black bear was found dead after apparently spending several days trapped inside an unlocked vehicle in Colorado Springs, according to The Denver Gazette. The bear damaged the car’s interior while trying to escape. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said bears can open unlocked vehicle doors while searching for food but may be unable to get out if the door closes behind them. Wildlife Officer Travis Sauder told the newspaper that bears are smart and dexterous, and normally leave after finding food. Problems arise when they become trapped inside a vehicle. The incident comes during an unusually active year for bear sightings and conflicts across Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts from Jan. 1 through Aug. 13, compared with 3,115 during the same period the previous year. The total had already exceeded the 5,299 reports recorded throughout 2025. Officials linked the increase to poor natural food conditions, including low snowpack and late freezes that reduced some food sources and forced bears to travel farther for calories. The situation is especially concerning as bears enter hyperphagia, when they consume large amounts of food and water before winter. CPW advises residents to remove food, trash and scented products from vehicles, homes and campsites, and warns against feeding bears. For Colorado Springs, the case is a practical reminder that even an unlocked car can become a dangerous food source and trap for wildlife. Keeping vehicles free of snacks, pet food and scented items can help reduce encounters and protect both residents and bears.
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