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Bears Target Colorado Homes for Halloween Treats and Food

As bears prepare for hibernation, residents should store food and pumpkins indoors to avoid dangerous wildlife encounters.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Wildlife

Screen-print poster illustration of a lone carved pumpkin on a wooden porch, evoking the seasonal alert for wildlife in Colorado.
Colorado residents are urged to secure pumpkins and food sources indoors as bears increase residential activity during their pre-hibernation feeding cycle. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Bears in Colorado are venturing into neighborhoods to feed on pumpkins and candy as they prepare for hibernation. This surge in activity has led to a notable increase in bear-human encounters across the state.

Why it matters

Drought and wildfires have depleted natural food sources, forcing bears to seek high-calorie alternatives in residential areas. These animals require 20,000 calories daily to survive the winter, creating new risks for homeowners this fall.

Colorado has recorded 11 bear attacks as of mid-October 2026, significantly higher than the typical annual average of three incidents. Bears in the state are currently in hyperphagia, a period where they must consume 20,000 calories per day to prepare for winter hibernation.

The details

During hyperphagia, bears are driven by a need for massive caloric intake and can smell food from miles away. When natural sources like berries and nuts are scarce due to drought or fire, bears target anthropogenic food sources including pumpkins and candy. Because these animals are strong enough to open screen doors, coolers, and windows, residential security remains a primary concern for local households.

Timeline

  1. Fall 2026: Bears are actively fattening up for winter hibernation.

  2. Mid-October 2026: Colorado recorded a total of 11 bear attacks.

  3. Halloween 2026: Bears may target outdoor holiday decorations and treats.

The Home Front

The current uptick in bear activity aligns with the biological demands of hyperphagia, where bears consume massive caloric loads before denning. This season reflects an intensification of the trend as environmental pressures from drought and wildfires limit natural food availability.

Residents should remove accessible food sources like pumpkins or candy from porches and ensure all windows and screen doors remain securely latched. Keep all pet food, bird feeders, and trash containers indoors to avoid attracting bears currently foraging for high-calorie snacks.

The takeaway

Bears are highly motivated by scent to find calories before winter, making the removal of outdoor food odors a priority. Keep your home perimeter clear of pumpkins, candy, and other potential attractants as we head toward the end of October.

Further reading

Find more tips for coexisting with local wildlife in our Wildlife section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Journal.

Live Poll

Is now a good time to adjust your holiday traditions to avoid attracting local wildlife?