A bear sighting in a quiet Aurora neighborhood has prompted a strong safety alert from local authorities, urging residents to keep their doors and windows shut and remain vigilant.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office reported that the bear was seen roaming through backyards near the 5800 block of South Genoa Court on Sunday. The encounter triggered a community advisory as officials worked to track the animal and prevent any possible harm to residents.
“We’re asking people in the area to keep all doors and windows closed and locked, and to be mindful about what they leave outside,” said a spokesperson from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
The bear was reportedly moving between yards, and several residents posted photos and videos online showing the animal walking calmly past fences and trash bins.
Summer Means More Bears in Colorado
This sighting isn’t an isolated incident. With the onset of warmer weather and summer approaching, bear activity across Colorado has notably increased. Wildlife experts say bears are actively searching for food sources as they emerge from hibernation.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, Colorado experienced a surge in bear sightings across multiple cities and parks, including Castle Rock, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Steamboat Springs. In many of these cases, bears were lured into residential areas by trash, bird feeders, and pet food left outdoors.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has repeatedly emphasized that bears are highly intelligent and food-driven creatures. If they associate homes with easy access to food, they are more likely to return — creating a danger both for humans and for the bears themselves.
“A fed bear is a dead bear,” says the CPW’s well-known slogan. Once bears become habituated to human food sources, they often must be relocated or euthanized.
What Aurora Residents Are Being Told to Do
In response to the recent sighting, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and wildlife officials are urging residents to follow basic bear safety guidelines:
- Secure all garbage in bear-proof containers or store it indoors until pickup day.
- Remove bird feeders, which often attract bears due to their high-calorie seed content.
- Don’t leave pet food or water bowls outside, especially overnight.
- Keep grills clean and stored inside if possible.
- Close and lock doors and windows, especially on the ground floor.
Additionally, if a bear is spotted, residents should never approach the animal and should call local authorities or Colorado Parks and Wildlife immediately to report the sighting.
CPW has published a detailed bear safety guide for urban and suburban areas, which can be accessed on their official website:
cpw.state.co.us
Not the First Time for Aurora
Aurora has experienced several bear sightings in recent years, though incidents within dense residential areas are still relatively uncommon. As Colorado’s population continues to expand into previously undeveloped areas, encounters with wildlife — including bears, mountain lions, and coyotes — have become more frequent.
Wildlife officials have warned that suburban sprawl and climate conditions are pushing wildlife into closer contact with humans. In some areas, neighborhoods have been developed near natural bear habitats, increasing the risk of such encounters.
“We are living in bear country, whether we realize it or not,” said a wildlife biologist from CPW.
To support bear safety efforts, residents are also encouraged to install motion-detection lights or alarms and to educate neighbors, especially children, about how to respond if they see a bear.
No Injuries Reported, But Vigilance Urged
So far, no injuries or direct confrontations have been reported in connection with the Aurora bear sighting. However, the Sheriff’s Office is reminding the public that even seemingly calm or curious bears can become aggressive if startled or threatened.
Residents who spot a bear should stay indoors, secure pets, and call local law enforcement or CPW. You can report a bear sighting or conflict by calling Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Northeast Region Office at (303) 291-7227.
Additionally, more safety guidelines and updates are available through the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office website:
