Colorado bears are targeting pumpkins on porches, gourds at stores

A black bear drinks from a backyard sprinkler in north Fort Collins, Colo., this summer. Bear sightings have significantly increased in the city due to a persistent drought that has greatly diminished the bears’ natural food supply of berries, grasses and nuts.

Provided by Jim Tolstrup

USA TODAY Network, Reuters

With Colorado’s historic level of bear activity in urban areas, you might want to hold off on putting that pumpkin on the porch.

There have already been incidents of bears in front yards eating pumpkins and bears eating gourds displayed outside at grocery stores, according to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife news release Oct. 2. A bear even gorged on food at a farmers market in Aspen.

Pumpkins are a prime high-calorie snack for bears as they consume as many as 20,000 calories daily to store fat in October before hibernating.

“Often, we see bird feeders bring bears into people’s yards and onto porches,” Kris Middledorf, the state agency’s wildlife manager in Steamboat Springs, said in the news release. “We then see escalating conflicts with bears that have gotten close to homes then trying to or successfully gaining access to homes. It is the same story with pumpkins people put out every October.”

Colorado’s drought and wildfires have forced bears into urban areas, including Fort Collins, in record numbers in search of food provided by bird feeders, apples, pet food and garbage.

The agency reported a record 8,672 bear-related sightings and incidents, resulting in 294 bears being euthanized and 98 being relocated through August, the Coloradoan previously reported. Many of those incidents were caused by people leaving food out available to bears.

The agency recommends placing pumpkins inside to be displayed in windows, picking up apples and other fruits from trees, taking in bird feeders and pet food, and safely storing garbage.

Pumpkins can also attract other wildlife, including raccoons that can carry diseases, and deer, which can attract mountain lions.

Antlered animals such as deer, elk and moose can get caught in Halloween lights and other decorations, the agency said. It recommends hanging holiday lights and decorations at least 6 feet above the ground or securely attached to trees and buildings.

“We see it every year, and it always gets worse this time of year,” Adrian Archuleta, agency wildlife manager in Durango, said in the news release. “… These impairments can really affect their mobility, vision and ability to eat and drink.”

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado bears are targeting pumpkins on porches, gourds at stores

Reporting by Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan / Fort Collins Coloradoan

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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This story was originally published October 2, 2026 at 2:26 PM.