Note: the photo, courtesy of the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office, shows a dumpster lid that a hungry bear managed to cave in.
Because of wildfires and the drought that has clung to the Four Corners all summer, bears are even hungrier than usual as they head into hibernation season. That has led to a number of incidents that range from amusing to tragic.
A social media post from the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office says a bear they dubbed “Yogi” entered the Town of Dolores recently and decided to challenge the bear-resistant dumpsters.
Though Yogi couldn’t lift the plastic lid, he was able to cave it in and gain access that way.
“When you’re a bear with determination, a hungry belly, and a dumpster full of possibilities, apparently you improvise,” the post said. That bear was shooed out of Dolores by the patrol sergeant.
The Sheriff’s Office says bear-resistant trash receptacles do work, but Yogi apparently was exceptionally clever.
“Unfortunately, every now and then, there's a Yogi who is a little more persistent, and apparently has some impressive problem-solving skills,” the post says.
In a sadder story, early in September, Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded to a report of a lethargic black bear in Durango. The male bear was found moaning and rocking from side to side, according to a release from CPW.
Wildlife officials decided to euthanize it, and a necropsy found that its stomach and upper intestine were completely blocked with garbage, including plastic bags.
“This is the sad reality of bears eating trash,” district wildlife manager Luke Clancy said in the release.
The bear was estimated to be 18 years old and had not been involved in any conflict or nuisance behavior, according to the release.
CPW has received a record number of reports of bear incidents this year. As of Aug. 31, there had been 8,672 reports of bear-related sightings and incidents, compared to 3,680 reports at the same time last year.
Two hundred ninety-four bears have been euthanized in the same period, compared to 83 in 2025.
Ten reports of bear attacks on humans have been confirmed in the state, the most on record, CPW says.
Bears try to gobble about 20,000 calories a day before they hibernate, so they will be aggressive in their quest for food.
“To prevent bear conflicts and encourage them to find food away from humans, keep trash securedat all times,” CPW says. “Lock windows, doors, garages and vehicles to discourage break-ins. Take down bird feeders and never feed or leave out food for bears, as feeding wildlife is illegal and contributes to their habituation. Report bear activity and conflicts to CPW.”
