Young bear falls from Denver tree after wildlife officials use tranquilizer to relocate animal

Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded Sunday to a black bear that had climbed a tree near Louisiana Avenue and Pennsylvania Street in the heart of Denver. Officers from the agency worked with Denver Police to manage the situation as wildlife managers prepared to relocate the juvenile animal to a more appropriate habitat away from the urban area.

After administering a tranquilizer, officers caught the bear as it fell from the tree, with CPW confirming the animal sustained no serious injuries despite the rough descent through the branches. The agency identified the animal as a male yearling approximately 1.5 years old and weighing roughly 100 pounds, which was subsequently transported to a safer location.

The encounter underscores a significant surge in bear activity across Colorado this year. Between January 1 and August 13, CPW logged 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts, more than double the 3,115 incidents reported during the same period in 2023, with drought conditions cited as the primary driver.

Officials attribute the increased human-wildlife encounters to severe drought reducing natural food availability, forcing bears into residential neighborhoods in search of sustenance. Just days before the Denver incident, CPW tranquilized and relocated a mother bear and cub that had spent several days in the city’s Harvey Park neighborhood.

CPW is urging residents to secure garbage containers until collection day, remove bird feeders, and lock vehicles and windows to eliminate food sources that attract bears. Authorities warn that bear activity typically intensifies as the animals prepare for winter and seek sufficient calories to build necessary fat reserves for hibernation.