As the heavy rains roll out of Southwest Colorado and the dry heat settles back in, the Mancos Marshal’s Office is reminding residents to watch out for bears as they search for food and water before hibernating.
A semitrailer heading east out of Mancos struck and killed a 1-year-old bear Thursday, according to Mancos Marshal Justen Goodall.
“84,000 pounds is not stopping on a dime,” said Sgt. Brad Ray of the Mancos Marshal’s Office. But according to Colorado State Trooper Gary Smith, who arrived on the scene, the truck driver didn’t see the bear and continued out of Mancos.
Someone spotted the dead bear in the road near the Mud Creek area and contacted the Mancos Marshal’s Office. The Colorado Department of Transportation removed it.
Smith said he usually sees four or five car versus bear crashes per year, mostly in August and September.
“They are really moving this time of year,” Smith said. In feeding season, bears spend a majority of the day hunting for food to build up their winter fat. As dry weather returns, bears are heading closer to civilization along the rivers in search of food and water.
Sections of highway that run through Mancos, Dolores and Rico are popular spots for bears because the Mancos River and the Dolores River run alongside the roadway. But bears also like to visit hay fields if they are “looking for an easy food source,” Smith said.
The Mancos Cottonwood Park, where dogs can run off-leash, also has an abundance of serviceberries and chokeberries, which bears eat. Goodall urges visitors to be cautious.
“Make sure trash is on your curb and don’t leave food in your car,” Goodall said. “Should be second nature.”
