Colorado issues grants to prevent bear-human conflicts

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department is soliciting proposals for spending to reduce conflicts between people and curious bears invading communities from neighboring parks.

CPW says it has $1 million in grant money on hand to distribute to communities with ideas on ways to keep people and bears safe. The money has to be spent on measures that should reduce the chances of bear-human conflicts.

The program was first launched in 2021 after Colorado’s state legislature approved and funded the first round with House Bill 21-1326.

“This program was so popular and successful that, in partnership with Governor Polis, CPW decided to continue and fund it in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service,” CPW explained in its announcement.

Almost any organization is eligible to apply for grants, including private businesses, homeowners’ associations, community organizations, and college groups, among others. The smallest grants start at $50,000 and the largest at $500,000.

Interest in the program has risen as Colorado’s bear population expands, but an uptick in conflicts likely stems more from the expanding human population.

For many years, Colorado has ranked as one of the nation’s fastest-growing states as people moved from other parts of the United States.

Applications for grants must be turned in by May 24, CPW says. The agency says it is looking for projects that either reduce the things that attract bears or pay for measures to “disincentivize” bears from entering communities adjacent to black bear habitat.

Tried and true methods and newer, more innovative approaches are welcome. CPW also expects proposals to enjoy community support, or for applicants to have a plan in place to gain community support.

“Human-bear conflict measures cannot be successful without collaboration between local communities, wildlife managers, and individuals,” CPW’s grant manager Travis Long said.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife plans to announce the winning grant recipients in July.

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