Colorado Awarded Grants to Reduce Bear Conflicts

The state distributed $1 million to 17 recipients to improve bear-resistant waste infrastructure.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in National Parks

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a sturdy trash container in a pine-filled mountain setting, representing bear-resistant waste infrastructure. — Colorado has awarded $1 million in grants to 17 communities to install secure, bear-resistant waste infrastructure, aiming to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local government invest in bear-resistant infrastructure to prevent conflicts in your community?

Colorado has awarded $1 million in community grants to help local entities reduce human-bear conflicts. The funding will support the installation of secure, bear-resistant trash receptacles across 17 different project sites.

Why it matters

These grants help mitigate dangerous encounters between humans and bears by preventing the animals from accessing residential and public trash sources. Reducing easy access to food waste is a primary strategy for preventing bears from entering populated areas.

Manitou Springs received $100,000 for residential and public bin initiatives, while Mountaindale RV Resort was awarded $26,293 for secure dumpsters. Twelve of the 17 chosen projects received their full requested funding amounts.

The players

Governor Polis

Jared Polis serves as the Governor of Colorado and oversees the state's wildlife and conservation policy initiatives.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

This state agency is responsible for managing Colorado's wildlife, parks, and outdoor recreational areas.

The details

The grant program, which began in 2021, focuses on providing the necessary infrastructure to keep wildlife away from common waste sites. Manitou Springs will utilize its funding for a broad distribution of bins, while Mountaindale RV Resort will replace existing, damaged units.

2021: The human-bear conflict grant program was first established.
September 29, 2026: Governor Polis and Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced the 2026 grant recipients.

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Roadmap

This state-led initiative follows the pattern established by the Colorado Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant program. The funding marks a continued shift toward proactive local waste management to mitigate human-wildlife encounters.

Residents and visitors in areas like Manitou Springs can expect to see new, more secure trash receptacles installed in public and residential spaces. These upgrades are designed to decrease bear activity in neighborhoods and campsites throughout the region.

The takeaway

Communities can significantly reduce bear attraction by strictly managing residential and public waste through specialized infrastructure. Investing in bear-resistant equipment is a proven method for preventing wildlife conflicts before they occur.