State Officials Warn Residents and Visitors About Growing Wildlife Encounters
Trevor Phipps
Now that summer is here, human/wildlife encounters are on the rise in Teller County.
Bears are out of hibernation and tend to roam into neighborhoods. They can also be seen while out hiking and recreating.
Just after the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Division (CPW) issued a press release warning people about bears while in the outdoors recreating, a different kind of wildlife attack, and one with serious repercussions, was reported. On June 22, CPW and local authorities received a report that a moose had attacked a hiker and their dogs on a hiking trail very close to Woodland Park city limits.
According to CPW, wildlife officers and Teller County Search and Rescue responded to the Lovell Gulch Hiking Trail at around 6:45 p.m. A person told authorities that they and their dogs were attacked by an aggressive moose while hiking.
The paramedics on the scene examined the victim of the recent attack. The victim was deemed OK and was not taken to the hospital.
Following the attack, Teller County Search and Rescue along with wildlife officers conducted a search for one of the dogs who was reported missing. The dog was then located at around 8:30 p.m. The dogs were then spotted “up and walking around the trail head” and exhibited no signs of injury.
CPW officials said that while moose attacks on humans are rare, they do sometimes exhibit aggressive behavior. Dogs can strike up aggressive behavior in these animals since they resemble wolves, one of the biggest predators of moose.
However, despite the attack CPW stated that they were not going to pursue the moose at this time.
Officials posted signs at the trailhead, warning hikers of aggressive moose behavior.
According to the CPW website, dangerous encounters with moose have been on the rise. CPW officials ask people to be aware of the signs of aggression when coming up on a moose outdoors.
The signs of aggression for moose are as follows: laid back ears, raised hairs on the neck, lowered head, swaying back and forth, licking of the snout, cocking of the head, rolling eyes and ears back. Overall CPW warns, if a moose reacts to your presence, you are too close.
“If a moose displays aggressive behavior or begins to charge, run as fast as you can and try to put a large object between you such as a boulder, car or tree,” the CPW website states. “Avoid animals that are behaving belligerently or abnormally. Moose that exhibit dangerous behavior towards people should be reported to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.”
Whereas moose have been seen in Teller County in regions outside of Woodland Park, moose sightings within the City Above the Clouds are very rare. The last dangerous encounter with a moose occurred at the Crags Trail south of Divide when a hiker got trampled by a moose on September 12, 2023.
CPW Warns Residents To Be BearWise
During the summertime when there are more people out in the outdoors, conflicts with bears are inevitable. According to a press release submitted by CPW, most conflicts between humans and bears are directly related to easily accessible trash, human food or other odor attractants.
A bear’s natural urge to eat can then overcome their fear of humans. Once bears become too comfortable around humans, they are known to destroy property and/or threaten human safety.
The warm and dry winter and spring seasons the area experienced have impacted food supplies, making bear reports higher this year than in the past. As of June 12, 2026, CPW has received 1,192 reports of bear activity across the state.
“Most conflicts between people and bears begin when bears gain access to food, garbage or other attractants left by people,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Tim Kroening said. “Properly storing food, securing trash and pet food, and keeping campsites, clean helps protect both people and bears. If a bear visits your campsite, make loud noises by yelling, clapping, blowing a whistle or using an air horn, and always give the bear a clear path to leave. These actions can discourage bears from becoming comfortable around people and help prevent future conflicts.
The basics of being BearWise outdoors include staying alert and staying with a group of people. Packing out all food trash and double bagging any food also helps keep bears away. Dogs chasing or barking can attract bears, so it is wise to always keep them on leash.
When out camping. keep food locked out of sight in a car or hung up at least 10 feet in the air. If you see a bear before it notices you, don’t approach. Stand still, enjoy, then quietly move away.
“When camping or recreating in bear country, carry bear spray, stay alert and report concerning bear encounters to Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” Kroening said.
