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Conejos County, black bear, injury
A black bear pulled a 4 year old La Jara boy from his sleeping bag while the boy’s family was on a cattle drive southwest of Antonito. The boy’s 18 year old brother yelled and threw rocks at the bear, which dropped the boy and fled. The boy required 22 stitches in his neck and head. -
Montezuma County, Mountain Lion, Injury
A 2-year-old Lewis boy, alone in his yard, had his leg bitten by a mountain lion. The adult, male lion was shot. -
Grand County, black bear, fatality
A couple was tent camping near Grand Lake on their honeymoon. A large older bear entered the tent, injured the woman and pulled the 31 year old man away from the campsite. The man was killed. The bear was later found and destroyed. Further examination of the black bear found that it had very worn and abscessed teeth and a plastic bucket in its stomach. -
Pueblo County, Mountain Lion, Injury
A 14-year-old Pueblo boy was snowshoeing in San Isabel National Forest. He hadn’t traveled far when a cougar attacked him. He was able to reach a knife he had brought with him. He used it to slash at the cougar. The cougar retreated. The boy was able to get help at a nearby house. He later received several hundred stitches to close up wounds on his head and back. An approximately 2-year-old female lion was shot. -
Archuleta County, grizzly bear, injury
An adult sow grizzly bear that was wounded by an archery hunter and then attacked an outfitter. That bear was killed by the outfitter and the hide is at the museum of Natural History in Denver. Before killing the bear the outfitter sustained major but nonlife threatening injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital. -
La Plata County, black bear, injury
A black bear grabbed a 7 year old California girl who was with a group of girls sleeping outside by buildings near Durango. When the girl screamed, the bear dropped her and ran. But the bear returned and tried to drag off the girl’s 11 year old sister in her sleeping bag, biting her on the head. The girl screamed and the bear dropped her and fled. Both girls survived. -
Jefferson County, black bear, injury
: 6-foot, 255-pound black bear destroyed tent of 36 year old mother and 9 year old daughter. Woman was bitten or clawed on the back of her head, leaving a wound that required 15 stitches at Lutheran Hospital. She left food in the tent instead of hanging it from a tree. Three Denver SWAT officers found the animal after the attack and shot it. -
Clear Creek County, Mountain Lion, fatality
An 18-year-old male was killed by a lion, while jogging, just a few hundred yards from his high school in Idaho Springs. The lion dragged the 130-pound boy 100 yards downhill before killing him, evidenced by the uprooted vegetation along the way. The lion was found feeding on his body three days later. -
Fremont County, black bear, fatality
A male bear broke into a camper 20 miles north of Cotopaxi presumably in search for food but ended up killing the 24 year old male occupant from Buena Vista. The camper tried to deter attack by shooting at the bear and grazing it in the rib cage (which might have had the opposite effect, said DOW officials). A 250lb very aggressive male black bear with a fresh bullet wound that had grazed its rib cage was later trapped and destroyed. A necropsy on the bear revealed human remains in its stomach. -
Montezuma County, Mountain Lion, injury
A 25-year-old water quality specialist was attacked and mauled by a cougar on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation (near Cortez). She was taking water samples from a river at about 1:30 p.m. when she heard something moving on the bank above. She looked up and saw a lion. When they made eye contact, it came down the embankment toward her. The woman stayed in the water thinking the cat was just curious and would leave. When it didn’t, she started screaming and throwing ice chunks at it while ba -
Larimer County, Mountain Lion, Injury
A seasonal worker in Rocky Mountain National Park was attacked by a mountain lion at about 5:30 p.m. The woman was jogging on the East Shore Trail when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned toward the movement and saw the lion preparing to pounce. The woman shouted and jumped to the side and the lion scratched her while taking a swipe with its paw. The woman stopped, raised her hands and yelled. She moved toward the lion and it fled. human-lion contacts Compiled as of 4/27/11 -
Montezuma County, Mountain Lion, Injury
A 4-year-old boy from France was attacked by a lion at Mesa Verde National Park at about 10:45 a.m. Park Rangers were escorting the boy’s family off a trail where a lion had been spotted. When the boy saw the young, male lion just off the trail, the boy reportedly screamed and ran. This action likely triggered the lion’s chase instinct. The lion grabbed the boy by his face, shaking the boy and dragging him for several yards. The youngster was hospitalized with cuts to his nose, left ear, and sho -
Grand Count, Mountain Lion, fatality
A 10-year-old Lakewood boy was killed by an adult female cougar about 4:30 p.m. during a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. He had raced ahead of his family on a well-traveled trail and was out of their sight. His family arrived to see his feet and legs extending onto the trail from adjacent brush. The cougar (an 88-pound pregnant female) attempted to drag him away before fleeing. The boy died from choking on his own vomit. The lion retreated when the parents arrived, but was killed soon afte -
Boulder County, Mountain Lion, injury
A 20-year-old mountain bike rider was attacked by a cougar west of Boulder at Walker Ranch Open Space near Flagstaff Mountain. The lion lunged and “took a swipe” at the man. The biker put his bike in between himself and the snarling lion. Eventually the lion backed away a short distance, allowing the man to ride down the trail. The lion followed the man a short distance before leaving the area. -
El Paso County, black bear, injury
Female black bear with dependent cubs confronted male hiker from Colorado Springs above Garden of the Gods. Victim climbed tree to escape injury, but sustained puncture wounds on his hip and scratches on his arm. Then following a brief stand-off, bear retreated. -
Boulder County, Mountain Lion, injury
A 19-year-old man was attacked by a lion in the yard of his house. The man was pounced on by a mountain lion when he went outside to see why his dogs were barking. The man fought with the lion, grabbing its throat when one of his dogs distracted the lion by barking and biting its side and tail. When the lion was distracted, the man was able to get into the house. The man's pants were ripped during the scuffle but he received no serious injuries. The lion wandered away and was never found -
Larimer County, Mountain Lion, Fatality
(Suspected lion attack but not confirmed). A 3-year-old boy was last seen running between two groups of hikers on the Big South Trail in the Comanche Peak Wilderness. The boy had been running ahead of one of the groups so he could hide behind boulders or trees and jump out to say "boo". A massive search of the area was initiated that included more than 60 people and search dogs over several days. At the time only one set of possible tracks (presumed to be bear tracks) were discovered. T -
Mesa County, black bear, injury
A large black bear on Grand Mesa confronted four hunters. One muzzleloader hunter was bitten in the buttocks while on the ground. One bow hunter was knocked down by the bear and bitten on the hand and leg. A third hunter fired 3 shots with a pistol at the bear; it is believed that only the last shot may have hit the bear. The bear was later tracked and found dead a few days later a short distance from the site of the attack. -
Chaffee County, black bear, injury
A Texas Scout leader was bitten and scratched by a black bear that entered her tent while she slept. The bear entered the tent in the early morning hours and was chased off by other Scout leaders who responded when the victim yelled for help. August 1st a 175lb three year old male black bear, which was habituated to human food, was trapped at the campground and destroyed. -
Chaffee County, black bear, injury
A 17 year old Boy Scout from Kansas suffered a bruised back and other minor injuries early in the morning when a black bear entered the tent he and another Scout were sleeping in at the Packerd High Adventure Scout Camp south of Poncha Springs. The bear entered the tent in the early morning hours and was chased off by other Scout leaders who responded when the victim yelled for help. The 17 year old Boy Scout was sleeping in the exact same tent as the July 24th victim. -
Alamosa County, black bear, injury
A 20 year old man was camping with several other people just outside the boundary of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument. While most in his camping party slept in tents, the man and a friend slept outside. At approximately 4:00 a.m. a small to medium sized black bear bit him on the right foot. At first the man thought it was his friends pulling a prank but when he started to speak the bear ran off. The bear was tracked but not found. -
Teller County, black bear, injury
A sub-adult bear came down on top of a tent and inadvertently put a one inch scratch on the head of the male sleeping in the tent. Toiletries were in the tent at the time of the incident. The bear had reportedly entered into at least three tents in a two-week period. The bear was shot and killed by a campground resident -
Grand County, black bear, injury
A man sleeping in a sleeping bag near his truck was stirred by some noise and woke up to a bear looking over him. The bear scratch him. The bear immediately jumped back and then came at the man again. The man stood up and the bear jumped back again. The man got into his vehicle and honked the horn causing the bear to run off. The camper did not require medical attention. The incident was treated as a non-aggressive encounter by DOW officers, the bear was not tracked and destroyed. -
Pitkin County, black bear, injury
An adult black bear pawed the outside of the tent of 19 year old woman. As the bear pawed at the tent, the tent collapsed on the woman and the bear proceeded to roll her around and sniff her. After finding no food in the tent the bear left the area. The woman sustained no serious injuries, but was treated at the hospital for a small wound on the top of her leg and some bruises. DOW officer searched the area for several days but could not locate the bear. -
Larimer County, black bear, injury
A woman encountered a bear on her porch. When the woman opened the door to the porch the bear swiped at her right foot leaving scratch marks. The woman later reported the bear had stepped on her foot. The woman sustained only minor injuries that did not require medical attention. The incident was treated as a non-aggressive encounter by DOW officers therefore the bear was not tracked and destroyed. -
Garfield County, black bear, injury
An adult female black bear was in a cabin when it was startled by the cabin owner’s friend. The bear subsequently bit the left foot of the individual and then retreated. The bear had been in the cabin numerous times eating bird grain, flour and cocoa. The sow was later trapped and euthanized. -
Gunnison County, black bear, injury
An elk hunter was sitting on a stump waiting for daylight when a black bear came up from behind and swatted him on his left shoulder knocking the hunter over. The bear immediately ran off. The hunter sustained only minor injuries that did not require medical attention. The bear was not tracked and destroyed. -
Teller County, black bear, injury
A 49 year old man suffered multiple lacerations about his head and back when mauled a black bear. The man was sleeping in a semi-permanent motor-home parked on vacant land north of Cripple Creek when the bear entered through a make-shift pet door around 3 a.m. He was treated and released from a local medical facility in Woodland Park. A trap was set, but the bear was not captured. -
La Plata County, mountain lion, injury
A woman was scratched by a mountain lion while sitting in her backyard. The woman and her husband were sitting on their hillside deck overlooking the Animas River when she felt a sudden weight on her shoulders. Screaming in pain, she jumped up and ran into the house. Her husband saw the lion jump off the edge of the deck and walk down an embankment. The woman sustained two puncture wounds on her upper neck and left shoulder, a puncture on her right cheek and a scratch on her right ear. Wildlife -
El Paso, black bear, injury
A large black bear injured an 85 year old woman in the Skyway subdivision in Colorado Springs. The bear was a frequent visitor to the woman’s yard because she was feeding it. The woman had been leaving a bucket of sunflower seeds on a picnic table for birds, squirrels or whatever other wildlife wandered into her back yard. According to the woman, at least four bears were frequent visitors including the bear that bit her. A trap was set, but the bear was not captured. -
Boulder County, mountain lion, injury
A 7-year-old boy was attacked by a female lion while hiking w/ a group of seven people near the Crown Rock trailhead near Flagstaff Mountain. At approximately 6p.m. the group was 50yrds from the parking lot when a lion grabbed the boy by the head & dragged him towards the woods. Family members shouted & chased the lion until the boy was released. The boy sustained a bite on his jaw & scratches to his legs.The 80 lbs, 1-to-2-year-old female lion was shot just after midnight by wildlife officers. -
La Plata County, black bear, injury
A landowner suffered a broken nose and some abrasions when a sow swatted him in his face. The adult male landowner confronted the sow and her cub that had broken into a storage shed containing chicken feed. When confronted the sow grabbed the landowner’s dog by the hind leg. The man was able to grab his dog and start pulling it from the bear. The bear then hit the man on the arm and swatted him on the face breaking his nose. A DOW officer shot and killed both the sow and cub. -
Ouray County, black bear, fatality
A visitor to a home outside of Ouray found the body of the 74 year old female homeowner deceased outside the home. As sheriff's deputies were investigating the scene, they were approached by a 250lb five year old male black bear near the woman that exhibited aggressive behavior. Deputies shot and killed the bear after it approached them and showed no fear of people. -
Montezuma County, black bear, injury
At approximately 1:00 a.m. a 14 year old boy and his 12 year old sister sleeping in their backyard in a residential neighborhood south of Cortez were awoken by a sub-adult black bear. After the bear bit the boy, he awoke, screamed and shined a flashlight at the bear, prompting it to run off. Paramedics treated the boy at the scene for a bite wound that punctured the skin. The girl didn't realize that the bear had bit her until later when her arm became bruised. -
Teller County, mountain lion, injury
At approximately 1 a.m. a 17-year-old female was driving home from work and thought her vehicle had a flat tire. She pulled over and parked. She exited the vehicle and walked around to check the front passenger-side tire. When she knelt down to look at the tire she felt something hit her from behind, knocking her into the road. In the headlights she saw the silhouette of a mountain lion. . The woman got back in her car and drove home. She sustained only minor injuries. -
Boulder County, Mountian Lion, injury
A 28-year-old woman jogging in Four Mile Canyon west of Boulder was confronted by two aggressive mountain lions that followed her up a tree. The larger cougar raked the back of the jogger’s leg with its claws before the terrified woman hit it on the head with a branch, and it climbed down and wandered off. -
Douglas County, mountain lion, injury
At approximately 2:30 p.m. a Littleton man was attacked by a mountain lion while hiking Carpenter Peak trail at Roxborough State Park. The man saw the mountain lion before it attacked. He had time to draw and unfold his Swiss Army knife. He and the lion stared at each other before the lion attacked. The man was able to fight off the first charge with a slash to the lion's head with the knife. The second time it attacked, the lion pounced on him. They rolled off the trail together, and at one poi -
Pitkin County, black bear, injury
Around 3:00 p.m. a woman sleeping on her deck was awakened by a sharp pain in her leg. She immediately awoke to find a bear had just inflicted a puncture wound on her leg by either biting or scratching her. The bear remained in the yard until DOW officers and Aspen police responded to the scene. As law enforcement units arrived, the bear went into a tree on the property. The two year old female bear was tranquilized to remove it from the property and was later euthanized.