On Friday, July 24, 2026, first responders were called after a 57-year-old man was found unconscious inside his travel trailer in western Boulder County near Beaver Reservoir, Colorado. The trailer door had been ripped completely off its hinges, food was scattered throughout the trailer, and bear paw prints were found inside.
Because of the damage and the man’s condition, investigators initially had to consider whether the bear had attacked him. After their investigation, authorities determined that the man had actually suffered a pre-existing medical emergency and had already lost consciousness before the bear entered the trailer. There was no evidence that the bear injured him.
Investigators believe the bear was attracted by food inside the trailer. Black bears have an exceptionally keen sense of smell and can detect food from long distances.
Even though the bear did not attack the man, Colorado Parks and Wildlife determined it had become a serious public safety threat. According to CPW spokeswoman Kara Van Hoose: Bears know when a person is inside. If a bear still forces its way in to obtain food despite a human being present, it has lost its normal fear of people and poses an unacceptable risk.
Because the bear: deliberately tore the trailer door off to gain entry, entered an occupied trailer, and successfully obtained human food, CPW followed its policy and captured and euthanized the bear.