Colorado is Grizzly Bear Habitat: Yes, Grizzly Bears Live in Colorado

by Steve
(Tulsa, OK)

A bear seen in Steamboat Springs from July 9th Commentor

Don't believe that the southern rockies are not grizzly bear habitat

In 1997 while on a trip through La Manga Pass in southern Colorado, I spotted a large bear with 2 cubs in tow.

Upon looking with binoculars, the large female (around 250 to 300lbs) had a massive head, large hump and was brown with a definite silver back and belly. You could see very definite long claws.

The cubs were chocolate with silver faces. They were all large for bears in the mountains.

I have hunted both grizzly and black and this was a family of mountain grizzly bears in Colorado.

I reported the sighting to the local warden and got very little interest.

If the grizzly bears continued their hurried pace they would have crossed into New Mexico in a few miles.

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Colorado is Grizzly Bear Habitat: Yes, Grizzly Bears Live in Colorado

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Jan 17, 2012
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These are black bears. NEW
by: Katie J.

The bears in these images are NOT grizzlies. The most distinguishable feature of a grizzly is the very pronounced hump on their back. There is no hump on the back of these bears (the picture of the cub displays this especially well - that is a black bear cub). Also, just because they are called black bears doesn't mean they are ONLY black. They come in a variety of colors including all shades of brown. Some black bears in British Columbia are white and are known as spirit bears.

Jan 06, 2012
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Poisen Mdw, south sierra NEW
by: Anonymous

In 1995, while on a hiking trip in the southern sierras in california I came very close to a large bear which looked very much like a grizzly. A few years ago in the same area I spotted a similiar bear further down from the original area near a large river. These are in fact black bears, but obviously much larger, lighter in color. They had a large head and yes, a hump. But I believe they are black bears, perhaps hybrids with remnents of brown bear genes. Other hybrids of Brown bears and polar bears have been discovered in Alaska so such hybrids are very possible.

Sep 23, 2011
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Grizzlies Do Exist
by: Josh

There are probably less than a 10 grizzlies left in Southern Colorado. Marty Stouffer (Wild America) supposedly encountered a male grizzly in the southern colorado rockies in the early 1980's. It is also known that Stouffer released a female grizzly cub in which he raised into Southern Colorado in the early 1980's. According to Stouffer the male and female grizzlies ended up getting together. The sporadic grizzlies seen in southern colorado could be the offspring of Stouffer's released female grizzly. If you dont believe me watch episode three of the first season of 'Wild America.' I'm sure colorado fish and game know about the grizzlies but are staying quiet about the issue. Yeah, the grizzlies are there, but the issue remains how close the genetics are in these grizzlies and are they all in-bred after a limited gene supply, or is colorado fish and game secretly bringing in new grizzlies from the yellowstone region to improve the genes. It wouldnt suprise me if they are being brought in.

Aug 24, 2011
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Brown Colored Bears Are Not Grizzly Bears
by: Perry

The bears spotted in Steamboat Springs, CO (and pictured above) are not Grizzly Bears.

Even though they are cinnamon/brown colored, the distinguishable feature between black and brown (grizzly) bears is the hump. There is no noticeable hump in these images, so they are technically Black Bears (even though they are brown in color).

I know... Confusing.

Aug 08, 2011
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Your Pictures
by: Perry

Hi Scooter,

Email them to me and I'll get them up on your story :)

Thanks!

~ Perry

perry
@
glacier-national-park-travel-guide.com

Aug 07, 2011
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Pictures
by: Scooter

Where should I post them?

Aug 07, 2011
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Reply to Request for pictures
by: Scooter

Hey I have pictures, where can I post them where you guys can see them? I would like somebody to have a look at these as I believe this was a Grizzly that I spotted in Colorado.

Aug 07, 2011
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Post a pic of July 9 bear
by: Anonymous

Hey, poster from July 9, can you share pictures?

Jul 09, 2011
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Grizzly in Colorado
by: Anonymous

Are you guys able to help me identify whether the bear i found in my yard with her cubs is a black bear or a grizzly?

Aug 23, 2010
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Hopefull
by: Anonymous

I'm no tree hugger but I'd love to see Grizzly bears make a come back here. It sounds like you know the difference between a Blackie and a Grizz! La Manga pass is'nt very far from where the last Grizzly sightings were in the South San Juans. I hope there are a few still out there, and from what I gather from people I think there are!

Aug 10, 2010
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colorado griz?
by: Anonymous

it has been over thirty years since confirmed sighting in colorado however it was in this area so it would be awesome if they were how and where did they come from? have u seen any others besides these three?

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