Bears in Colorado attack teen as she slept in bedroom and woman camping in tent

Bears in Colorado attacked a woman camping in her tent and a sleeping teenager in her bedroom over the weekend.

​Both attacks unfolded within 72 hours of each other, with the former incident occurring at the Park Creek Campground in at the Rio Grande National Forest, near South Fork. The latter transpired at a property in Durango, around 110 miles away.

​The South Fork attack took place at around 5.30 a.m. Friday, with Colorado Parks and Wildlife stating that they received a report that a woman had been bitten while inside her tent.

​The woman said that something struck her tent while she was inside, before biting down on her arm. She did not see the growling animal, but says that it was large in size.

​The unnamed woman was treated by medics for an injury consistent with a black bear bite, with CPW officials later uncovering evidence at the scene that suggested a black bear had been present. ​The campground has since closed for the season.

​“The bite in this incident was more likely an act of surprise than aggression,” Area Wildlife Manager Rick Basagoitia said. “There is no history of conflict or damage.”

​Just days later, though, a separate attack unfolded miles away in Durango. ​According to the CPW, a bear entered a condo through a window that had been opened slightly. Then, it ripped off the window screen and opened the window all the way.

Upon entering the bedroom, it tore down the curtain, waking the sleeping 17-year-old inside. The girl says that she began hiding under her blankets, with the animal beginning to sniff at her head as she did so.

​When the woman made a sound, the bear made a huffing noise and swiped at her, catching her stomach. The 17-year-old would later treat the scratch marks herself.

​As she screamed and sat up, the bear raced to the foot of her bed.

​“Based on what we know happened in this encounter, the woman is very lucky she had multiple blankets covering her when the bear swiped her,” District Wildlife Manager Luke Clancy said.

​Pausing briefly after she screamed, the bear climbed out of the window before returning almost immediately after.

​When it returned to the room, she began screaming and yelling. The bear left a second time and did not return.

​On Monday morning, the bear entered another nearby residence, the CPW says, with the agency continuing to maintain a presence in the area to catch the animal.

​“This bear has exhibited behavior that threatens human health and safety,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta of the Durango office said. “It has shown that it is not afraid to enter homes multiple times now, and it is likely this behavior will continue.”

“We want residents to make sure they are closing and locking their doors and windows during this high human-bear conflict year in addition to securing all outside attractants.”

The CPW says it has recorded 10 bear attacks in 2026, the most on record. The National Park Service says that bears became very active as winter approaches, as they seek out food to put on weight as temperatures drop - a process known as hyperphagia.