This week, Governor Polis and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced the 2025 funding recipients of the Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant, which will distribute $999,837 to 22 efforts around the state. These grants provide funding for local communities, municipalities, businesses and nonprofit organizations working to create innovative ways to reduce human-bear conflict and keep communities and wildlife safe.
“Our quality of life, plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities, and jaw-dropping landscapes attract both families and animals to our state. That’s why these common-sense and proven risk reduction strategies are so important. Through these smart investments, we can ensure that Coloradans can continue to live safely across our state, along with the animals, like bears, that call our beautiful state home,” said Governor Jared Polis.
In 2021, Governor Polis signed the bipartisan law, HB 21-1326, sponsored by Rep. Barbara McLachlan, Rep. Perry Will and Senator Tammy Story, which directed CPW to distribute funding to local communities to help reduce human-bear conflicts and support native species conservation. The Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant was created to accomplish this and to support local initiatives working to prevent bear conflicts.
This program was so popular and successful that, in partnership with Governor Polis, CPW decided to continue it in future years and fund it in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This spring, CPW offered up to $1 million, distributed through a competitive grant process, in order to support more projects that prevent conflicts with bears in local communities. CPW received 42 applications this year, up nearly 50% from last year, requesting $2.7 million in funding.
“Human-bear conflict measures cannot be successful without collaboration between local communities, wildlife managers and individuals,” said CPW Grant Manager Travis Long. “Fortunately, CPW has seen success with this grant program with many communities taking advantage of the opportunities this funding provided and implementing projects to help reduce conflicts with bears.”
In 2025, 14 organizations received the full amount of requested funding and eight proposals received partial funding:
Colorado Springs Parks and Rec, Bear-Resistant Cans in Public Spaces – $110,000 awarded
Beulah Fire, Residential Trash Carts – $88,000 awarded
Yampa Valley Housing Authority, Dumpster Enclosure – $73,000 awarded
Ute Condos – Aspen, Trash Enclosure – $68,000 awarded
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Colorado Springs, Upgrade to Recycling and Trash Bins – $31,000 awarded
Continental North HOA – Larimer County, Residential Carts Plus Materials – $29,000 awarded
Town of Alma, Bear-Resistant Cans in Public Spaces – $26,000 awarded
City of Woodland Park, Bear-Resistant Cans in Public Spaces – $24,000 awarded
Holland Hills Townhomes, Trash Enclosure – $22,000 awarded
Silverton Building and Code Enforcement – $21,000 awarded
Mountain Air Ranch Resort – Littleton, Trash Enclosures – $17,000 awarded
Davis Ranch HOA – Larimer County, Trash and Recycle Station – $16,000 awarded
Redstone Water and Sanitation, Trash Station – $9,000 awarded
Mountain Shadows Montessori, Bear-Proofing School – $7,000 awarded
Larimer County Open Space, Bear-Resistant Can in Public Spaces – $30,000 awarded
Town of Keystone, Residential Trash Carts and Enclosures – $40,000 awarded
Eagle Police Department, Bear-Resistant Can in Public Spaces – $39,000 awarded
Black Mountain Waste – Mesa County, Residential Trash Carts – $60,000 awarded
City of Glenwood Springs, Reimbursement Program – $58,000 awarded.
Good Food Collective – Mancos, School and Residential Trash Cans – $44,000 awarded
Arapahoe Valley Ranch – Granby, Food Storage Lockers and Enclosures – $85,000 awarded
Eagle County, School Building Bear-Resistant Trash – $103,000 awarded
Live BearWise. Keep bears wild.
For more information on bears in Colorado, visit cpw.state.co.us/living-bears. If you have questions or need to report bear problems, contact your nearest CPW office.