Sleeping Teen Mauled By Bear

Brown bear walking through a forest — DEADLY BEAR ATTACK

A sleeping teen in Durango and a camper near South Fork were both hurt when black bears forced their way in days apart.

Story Snapshot

Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported two separate bear attacks over the weekend.
A woman in a tent near South Fork was bitten on the arm; puncture wound treated.
A black bear entered a Durango bedroom through a cracked window and scratched a 17-year-old.
Officials say injuries were minor; this year’s confirmed attacks are at a record pace.

Two Weekend Attacks, Same Pattern: Bears Followed Scent To People

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said two people were injured in separate bear attacks over the weekend. The first happened at Park Creek Campground in Rio Grande National Forest near South Fork.

A woman inside a tent felt a bite on her arm and was later treated for a puncture wound consistent with a black bear bite. Officers documented holes and marks on the tent that matched a bite from outside the fabric, signaling a food-seeking bear testing a soft target.

The second attack unfolded early Sunday in Durango. A black bear ripped off a window screen, slid open a cracked window, and entered a condo bedroom on Escalante Drive.

A 17-year-old girl woke up as the bear made contact and reported three scratches and bruising on her stomach before the animal left. Local coverage aligned on timing and location details near the Home Depot corridor, backing the overnight entry and quick exit pattern.

What Investigators Say, And What They Look For

Wildlife officers treated both incidents as confirmed bear attacks based on physical evidence and victim reports, adding to a record run of attacks this year.

Investigators look for clear signs: puncture wounds that match tooth spacing, claw marks, saliva or hair, and damage that fits a bear’s size and reach.

In South Fork, tent fabric punctures supported the account. In Durango, the torn screen, opened window, and scratch injuries tied to a direct encounter inside a home.

Neither bear had been captured when the initial reports came in. Officers canvassed both areas, set traps where feasible, and assessed ongoing risk.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the events did not indicate a continued broad threat to the public but urged extra care in bear country. The agency’s stance tracks years of guidance: secure food, seal up scent sources, and harden home entry points, especially at night.

Why Bears Are Pushing Closer To People This Season

Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports rising bear conflicts statewide, with thousands of sightings and encounters logged in recent years. The agency links the trend to rapid residential growth along the wildland edge and weather swings that cut natural foods.

When berries, nuts, and insects dip, hungry bears chase easy calories in trash, coolers, grills, bird feeders, and pet food. That “one easy meal” teaches bold behavior and brings bears back again.

2 injured as bear attacks reach record high in Colorado amid drought pic.twitter.com/j4sxCGUAY9

— Daily Camera (@dailycamera) September 16, 2026

Late summer and early fall create a crunch. Bears enter a feeding phase to pack on fat for winter. Windows left cracked at night can vent cool air and scent. A tent wall can smell like last night’s brats. In both weekend cases, the path in was simple, and the reward seemed near. That mix ends in scratches and bites, or worse.

Smart Defense: Five Moves That Stop Most Encounters Cold

Seal the scent. Store all food in bear-resistant containers or a locked vehicle. Double-bag trash; never leave coolers outside. Shut windows at night if food is out, or move the food and close the blinds.

In campgrounds, cook and eat away from your tent; stash utensils and toiletries like toothpaste, sunscreen, and chapstick with food. Keep bear spray handy and know how to use it. These steps match state guidance and reduce the odds of a repeat visit.

Report encounters fast. Call local law enforcement or Colorado Parks and Wildlife so officers can track patterns, set traps if needed, and warn neighbors.

The agency’s database guides patrols, education, and targeted responses. Quick reporting also helps officers decide if a bear must be relocated or, in rare cases, euthanized, based on the level of aggression and the risk to the community.

What This Weekend Means For Colorado Families

The Durango teen and the South Fork camper are expected to recover, which is the good news. The sharper message is this: basic choices at home and at camp shape bear behavior.

Colorado has more people in bear country and more bears learning fast. That does not mean panic. It does mean a routine. Clean, lock, store, and report. Do that, and most nights will stay quiet, inside and out.