Durango approves electric fences and mats to reduce bear conflicts
DURANGO, Colo. — As bear conflicts rise across Durango, the city approved a new ordinance earlier this year allowing residents to use electric fencing and bear “unwelcome mats” within city limits. The tools have long been used in La Plata County but were previously restricted in the city.
In 2025, La Plata County, which has its own bear resource officer, recorded 1,549 bear sightings and incident reports from residents — a 448% increase from the previous five-year average. More than 60% of those reports involved human food attractants. Nearly half cited trash.
Last year, human-caused incidents led to the deaths of 53 bears in the county, including vehicle collisions and wildlife management actions (i.e., euthanizing the bears).
Colorado Parks and Wildlife euthanized 19 bears and relocated 22, more than in any other county in the state.
Bryan Peterson, executive director of Bear Smart Durango, a nonprofit focused on reducing human-bear conflict, said the pattern is clear and largely preventable.
“The biggest driver of conflict is human food availability,” Peterson said. “We could lock everything down if we wanted to. It’s just that our community has taken a pretty tepid approach to that.”
Bears are drawn into town by easy calories: unsecured trash, bird feeders, pet food and fruit trees. Once they find a reliable food source, they often return.
“If bears aren’t finding food, they’ll move on,” Peterson said.
Environmental factors also play a role. A dry winter and early spring can reduce natural food sources like berries and acorns, pushing bears into urban areas. Peterson said timing is critical: a late frost can wipe out spring blooms, signaling a difficult season ahead.
“When natural foods fail, you know it’s going to be a bad bear year,” he said.
Warmer temperatures are also changing bear behavior. In Durango, the first sightings now occur in early March — weeks earlier than in the past — and bears are spending less time in hibernation.
But even in good food years, conflict persists.
“We’ve conditioned bears for decades,” Peterson said. “They’ve figured out the game.”
Despite an existing ordinance requiring bear-resistant trash containers, compliance is inconsistent. Broken latches, improper use and human behavior continue to undermine the system.
Peterson has seen residents intentionally leave out food to attract bears. This behavior can have deadly consequences.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife follows a “two-strike” policy. If a bear is captured and relocated for nuisance behavior, a second incident can lead to euthanasia.
“A fed bear is a dead bear,” Peterson said. “But studies show most bears actually prefer to stay in the wild if we don’t give them a reason to come into town.”
The city’s new ordinance aims to change that dynamic.
Electric fences — typically delivering 6,000 to 10,000 volts — create a short, nonlethal shock that conditions bears to avoid an area. Bear mats work similarly and are easily installed at entry points like porches or garages. Humans will not feel a shock if they step on the mat with shoes. The mats can be turned off for pets.
Both the fences and the mats have proven effective in the county, protecting fruit trees and chicken coops.
“It’s a way to redirect behavior for both bears and residents,” said Daniel Murray, a planning manager with the city.
Residents must obtain permits, and installations come with safety requirements and warning signs. Adoption of the newly-approved tools has been slow so far — fewer than a dozen people have reached out about installs — in part because bear activity is also slow; it typically ramps up later in the spring.
Murray said the ordinance is the first step. Future efforts could include stronger enforcement of trash regulations or dedicated wildlife response teams.
“Most of it is preventable,” Peterson said. “It’s totally up to humans.”
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