JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. – An angler was hospitalized with leg injuries after he was attacked by a bear on Friday evening near the North Fork trail parking lot, adding to a series of attacks recently reported.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said the attack happened around 8 p.m. near the confluence of the Platte River when the man, is in his 60s, was walking back to the parking lot after fishing.
“Multiple witnesses reported a subadult sow knocked the man to the ground and bit his legs. The attack continued for several minutes until the victim’s friends scared the bear away,” wrote CPW in a news release, which added the man was not carrying fish.
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CPW said its officers and a team from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Plant Health Inspection Service responded with a dog team to search for the bear, which was found and euthanized Saturday morning, per agency policy.
“The 50- 60 lb subadult female did not show signs of nursing. No cubs were located in the area,” wrote CPW.
Friday’s incident marked the sixth reported bear attack of 2026, according to CPW.
Between January 1 and August 13, CPW said there were 6,129 bear sighting and conflict reports, which is nearly double the 3,115 reports during the same time in 2025.
The agency says 2026 is on track to set a record for bear reports since statewide digital tracking began in 2019.
Scripps News Denver has tracked several recent attacks.
- Bear bites homeless man in Aspen as Colorado sees record bear activity
- Bear attacks man outside Eagle-Vail apartment complex laundry room, CPW says
- Man airlifted from Boulder County mountains not attacked by bear, officials say
Recently, a Black bear died after it was trapped in an unlocked vehicle in Colorado Springs.
Here are CPW tips to help prevent conflicts:
- Never feed or approach bears. Intentionally feeding wildlife or letting them find accessible food is illegal. It teaches them to approach homes and lose their natural fear of humans.
- Safely store trash, animal feed, and other attractants. Lock up trash receptacles and food scraps to eliminate the powerful odors that attract wildlife to residential properties.
- Never leave pet food outdoors. Feed domestic pets indoors or thoroughly clean up bowls immediately after any outdoor feeding.
- Clean and store outdoor grills. Burn off grease and food particles after every use, and store grills inside a secure garage or shed.
- Secure windows and doors. Keep windows and doors locked, especially when leaving the property.
- Know what to do if you encounter a black bear.
- If you see a bear before it notices you, don't approach. Stand still, and quietly move away.
- If a bear sees you, back away slowly. Never run; running may trigger a chase response.
- If a bear approaches, hold your ground, wave your arms and yell "Hey Bear" until it leaves.
- If a black bear makes contact with you, do NOT play dead; fight back aggressively.
