Bear Breaks Into Two Cars Near Telluride, Causing Major Damage and Prompting Wildlife Warning
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is urging residents and visitors in mountain communities to secure their vehicles and property after a bear broke into two separate vehicles west of Telluride on Thursday night. Wildlife officials say the incidents are a stark reminder that bears are fully active again after emerging from their winter torpor.
CPW shared photos of the damage, showing shredded upholstery and a dismantled interior—clear signs of the chaos a trapped bear can cause. “Bears are good at getting into cars,” CPW noted in a post, “but they aren’t the best at getting back out, and they can cause a lot of damage.”
This isn’t an isolated incident. Just days earlier, a bear in Evergreen became stuck in another vehicle, ripping apart side panels, tearing out airbags, and damaging the dashboard in its frantic attempt to escape.
Wildlife officials are using these back-to-back encounters to remind Coloradans of a critical seasonal shift: bears are now wide awake and actively searching for food. During this time of year, bears will explore neighborhoods, parking lots, and even campsites in search of easy calories—and that includes anything left inside a vehicle.
Residents and visitors in mountain towns are urged to take the following precautions:
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Always lock car doors and roll up windows, especially overnight.
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Remove all food, trash, or scented items from vehicles—even gum or air fresheners can attract bears.
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Secure trash cans, preferably inside a garage or bear-resistant container.
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Keep doors and windows closed and locked when not in use.
These precautions are especially important in areas near bear habitats, such as Telluride, Evergreen, Aspen, and other high-country towns.
CPW encourages anyone who encounters a bear to avoid approaching it and to report sightings or incidents to local wildlife authorities. While these animals may appear curious or playful, their strength and unpredictability make them dangerous when provoked—or simply stuck.
