Colorado Bear Cub Rescues Rose Sharply in 2026

Drought and food scarcity forced rehabilitation centers to take in record numbers of orphaned bear cubs across the state.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Wildlife

Bold vector editorial illustration of a solitary young black bear cub resting inside a rustic wooden den box, representing wildlife rehabilitation. — Wildlife rehabilitation centers in Colorado saw record numbers of orphaned bear cub intakes in 2026 due to severe drought and food scarcity. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should residents be held more responsible for preventing bear encounters in their own communities?

Colorado wildlife rehabilitation centers reported a significant surge in orphaned bear cub intakes during 2026. The increase followed a year of record-high bear-related incidents throughout the state.

Why it matters

Extreme drought and a severe spring freeze significantly reduced natural food sources, forcing malnourished mother bears to abandon their cubs. This environmental pressure led to a broader conflict between humans and bears across the region.

The Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Del Norte took in 41 cubs in 2026, compared to 29 in 2025. Meanwhile, the Pauline Schneegas Wildlife Foundation in Silt rescued over 30 cubs, up from just three the previous year.

The players

Jared Polis

Jared Polis is the Governor of Colorado who signed House Bill 26-1342 in May 2026.

Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Located in Del Norte, this facility specializes in the care and release of orphaned wildlife.

Pauline Schneegas Wildlife Foundation

Based in Silt, this organization provides medical care and rehabilitation for injured or orphaned animals.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

This state agency is responsible for managing the state's wildlife populations and responding to bear-related incidents.

The details

Wildlife caretakers have utilized visual barriers to feed and clean the captive cubs without human exposure to ensure they remain wild. Once the cubs reach 60-70 pounds, facilities place them in den boxes to prepare for their eventual release into natural snow caves.

May 2026: Governor Polis signed House Bill 26-1342.
August 31, 2026: Wildlife officials recorded 8,672 bear incident reports.
Late September 2026: Frisco Creek reached 41 bear cub intakes.
February 2027: Planned transport of rehabilitated cubs to natural snow caves.
March or April 2027: Expected emergence of rehabilitated cubs from snow caves.

Culture Shift

The surge in orphaned bear cub care reflects a broader transition in wildlife management driven by House Bill 26-1342. This shift highlights increasing state-level efforts to mitigate the impacts of human-wildlife conflict amid changing environmental conditions.

Residents should exercise increased caution and practice bear-safe habits, as the record number of sightings indicates elevated activity across the state. These measures are essential to reduce the frequency of human-bear encounters and potential wildlife euthanasia.

The takeaway

Record cub intakes underscore the urgent need for communities to secure trash and eliminate attractants during periods of drought. Protecting natural food sources remains the most effective way to prevent mother bears from abandoning their young.

What happens next

Rehabilitated cubs are scheduled for transport to natural snow caves in February 2027, followed by their expected emergence in the wild during March or April 2027.