There’s been a lot of wildlife news this summer. In July, a grandfather visiting Yellowstone National Park was charged by a bison after stopping to snap a photo, .
Closer to home, a woman hiking the Snowflake Trail in Breckenridge had an unsettling encounter when she realized , according to news reports.
In Castle Rock, meanwhile, , leaving a tight-knit community both heartbroken and seeking answers.
Technically speaking, the Yellowstone hiker was playing by the rules, keeping to the National Park Service’s required 25-yard buffer, but many more people don’t. Photos and videos of tourists getting too close to wildlife can be found almost weekly on social media, which has collectively dubbed these individuals as “tourons,” a cross between tourists and morons.
“Wildlife is unpredictable. These are not zoo animals,” said Ben Lawhon, founder of consulting agency , who has spent decades working in outdoor education and conservation. “In my consulting practice, working with land managers across the agency spectrum, we’re seeing an uptick in human-wildlife conflict.”
While moose and elk interactions remain at “standard rates,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Bridget O’Rourke said human-bear conflicts are up in 2026 — following a 2025 that saw a significant uptick. Colorado is home to an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 black bears, the majority of which live in areas where people camp, hike, and backpack.
Our state, in case you’re curious, boasts over 960 wildlife species, including more than 350,000 elk, 300,000 deer, 80,000 coyotes, and 4,000 moose. “Part of the Colorado lifestyle,” O’Rourke said, “has to be knowing how to coexist.”
Before you head out
Your first step in staying safe — and being responsible — is to check wildlife alerts before heading out; public agencies often post information about aggressive animals reported on trails or in wildlife corridors.
There’s a reason why “know before you go” is the first principle in , a framework designed to minimize human impact outdoors, said Erin Collier, director of education for the Boulder-based nonprofit Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, which teaches the principles. Wildlife rarely seek contact with humans, so “the onus is on us,” she added. Since wild animals become aggressive when triggered, it takes human effort to understand species-specific triggers.
You’ll also want to think about timing: The experts at recommend avoiding high-activity trails at dawn and dusk. Animals are most active during low-light hours, meaning extra vigilance is required if you’re out at twilight.
Wildlife patterns can also change seasonally (occasionally triggering temporary trail closures). So, take extra precautions during vulnerable times of year, like spring birthing and autumn mating seasons.
“Winter can also be a really stressful season for animals when food is scarce,” Lawhon notes.
Another piece of advice: carry deterrents. Bear spray remains the most reliable defense against bears and works in a pinch for other animals, too. “Buy a fresh canister every season,” O’Rourke said. Air horns and whistles are also effective tools for scaring off wildlife. Whatever you carry, Ashley Hanlon, chief communications officer for the Colorado Mountain Club, emphasized that deterrents are only useful if you actually know how to use them. Practice beforehand.
On the trail
“At Colorado Mountain Club, we emphasize that the best wildlife encounter is the one you avoid,” Hanlon said. To that effect, trail users should strive to:
Stay alert and travel together: Pay attention to your surroundings. If you hike with music, keep one earbud out. There’s safety in numbers; wildlife attacks on groups of six or more are exceptionally rare (there’s research on this) – so hit the trails together when you can, and keep kids close. Make noise periodically so bears can avoid you.
Stick to trails: Staying on marked paths protects sensitive landscapes while giving wildlife predictable boundaries. Because animals learn where humans travel, they will naturally avoid popular routes, explains Collier.
Keep your distance: General NPS rules require staying at least 25 yards from all wildlife and 100 yards from bears and predators, though local guidance can vary. Since estimating distance can be tricky, CPW recommends the classic “rule of thumb” – hold your thumb out at arm’s length; if you can’t completely cover the animal with one eye closed, back up. All that said, here’s the best distance rule to remember: if an animal changes its behavior because of your presence, you’re way too close.
Leash your dog: Dogs can easily provoke encounters with wildlife, particularly bears, wolves, and moose. When hiking in active habitat, keeping your pet leashed is “a good call,” Lawhon said. Or play it super safe and leave them at home.
Secure smellables: A bear can smell your mid-hike PBJ from miles away, which is why O’Rourke always double-bags her food when she’s hiking. When camping, anything with an odor – food, trash, scented toiletries (especially florals), and even the clothes you wore while cooking – should be stowed in a bear-resistant canister or locked vehicle. If you hang a bear bag, ensure items are suspended at least 10 feet up and 10 feet out from the trunk, a method best left to those who have mastered the technique.
Pack everything out: Leaving behind scraps, wrappers, or even seemingly harmless items like apple cores and banana peels teaches bears to associate people with food. Pack out every last bit of waste, and avoid burning food remnants in your fire ring.
If you come face to face with wildlife
If a wild animal takes a sudden interest in you, try to remain calm (easier said than done). Never turn your back on a potentially aggressive animal, and resist the urge to run, which can trigger a chase instinct. Scoop up small children and pets, speak in a firm, confident voice, and back away slowly.
“A big part of wildlife safety involves understanding the individual animal’s behavior,” Hanlon explains. Here’s how to handle a close encounter with Colorado’s most common species:
Black bears: Colorado’s native black bears are “very opportunistic eaters,” O’Rourke said, and driven to consume up to 20,000 calories a day to build winter fat. That biological urge can override their fear of humans, making accessible food and trash the primary trigger for conflict.
If you spot a bear before it sees you, back away slowly. If it notices you, stand tall, never run, and give it a clear exit route. Should the bear approach, hold your ground, wave your arms, and make noise – clapping, shouting, or using an air horn.
“For the most part, a black bear will get scared and run away,” O’Rourke explained. If it continues toward you, deploy your bear spray in its eyes. Keep in mind that many bear charges are bluffs; however, if a black bear makes contact, always fight back.
Moose: Beautiful as they are, moose are “prone to fight,” Lawhon warns. “People look at them and think of Bullwinkle, but these are huge, powerful animals,” he said, standing up to 7 feet tall, reaching 1,000 pounds, and running at speeds of 35 mph. Unlike other animals, moose aren’t even remotely scared of people. They’re naturally territorial and easily agitated, especially near water sources (hello, 2026 drought). Getting too close can prompt a slow approach followed by a full-force charge, leading to severe injuries. Enjoy them from afar using binoculars or a telephoto lens, then move along.
If you find yourself in close quarters, O’Rourke advises backing away slowly without shouting, which only irks moose further. Put obstacles like large trees or boulders between you and the animal. If you have a dog – leashed or not – let it go. “This is so difficult for people, and not our human instinct, but your dog knows to run away and then you can protect yourself,” O’Rourke explains, emphasizing that moose view all canines as immediate threats.
Wolves: Wolf reintroduction has dominated headlines since 2023; still, human-wolf encounters on the trail are practically unheard of. “Wolves are not normally dangerous to humans,” Lawhon emphasizes, even in places like Yellowstone with large, established packs. Though Colorado’s population remains small, O’Rourke feels that awareness is always key. Never approach or corner a wolf; like most wildlife, they prefer to avoid humans. Give them space and an obvious exit path, and you shouldn’t have issues.
Mountain lions: Attacks on humans are very rare, which is why they make the news when they happen. If you have an encounter (again, super rare), you’ll want to act bigger than you are by raising your arms, picking up kids or pets, or opening your jacket; stand your ground, and fight back aggressively if it attacks. For those who live in lion country, O’Rourke advises closing off the undersides of decks and porches, as cougars are known to seek shelter in these spaces.
Snakes: You’re far more likely to spot a snake on the trail than a wolf or mountain lion. Just don’t attempt a photo op, who ended up in intensive care (with a $153,000 medical bill) after trying to take a selfie with a rattlesnake in 2015. Since rattlesnakes are common in Colorado, O’Rourke advises caution: “If you hear a rattle, stop, identify where the sound is coming from, and back away from the trail altogether.” Never keep pushing forward. If you are bitten, call 911 immediately – getting to an emergency room is your top priority.
As recreationists, keeping authorities informed helps keep everyone safe. If you encounter an animal exhibiting aggressive or concerning behavior, contact your local CPW office to report the location and get advice on next steps.
“We’re lucky to live in Colorado, and we don’t want people to be afraid to go hiking,” O’Rourke said. “Just stay aware of wildlife, and remember the bottom line is to give them space.”
