(FRISCO, Colo.) — Grant money is now available to reduce human-bear conflicts, which have been on the rise in Colorado in recent years. Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) is encouraging local governments, NGOs, HOAs, community groups, businesses, tribes, universities, and individuals who are interested in proposing a solution to apply for grant money by May 24, 2024.
“Human-bear conflict measures cannot be successful without collaboration between local communities, wildlife managers, and individuals,” said CPW Grant Manager Travis Long. “We are excited about this program because interest from the public is high, with many communities taking advantage of the opportunities this funding provides and implementing projects to help reduce conflicts with bears.”
CPW has $1 million in grant funding for projects that propose ways to reduce human-bear conflicts in local neighborhoods. The idea is to get communities to use grant money to innovate solutions that work well and can be replicated.
The minimum grant award is $50,000 and the maximum is $500,000. According to CPW’s Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Grant Program Guidelines, projects will be eligible if they meet the following requirements:
The project reduces the availability of attractants to black bears in communities experiencing human-bear conflict OR the project disincentivizes black bears from entering areas of high conflict (i.e. hazing).
The project has local community support or a detailed plan to build local support.
The project is a cost-effective investment that has the potential to last beyond the
funding time frame.
The project utilizes proven techniques for preventing conflict or will explore an innovation that promises to prevent conflict.
The program guidelines also outline what makes a project ineligible, and other considerations that will be taken into account as grant money is awarded.
Governor Jared Polis and Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, collaborated with CPW on the grant program.
“Colorado is known for our incredible wild spaces and the animals that call our state home,” said Governor Polis. “These grants will help support more bear-proof homes and neighborhoods to ensure that people and animals can live together and avoid conflict that impacts humans and animals.”
“Human-bear conflicts are ongoing issues in Colorado, resulting in property damage and increased demands on time and effort for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and local government personnel and unfortunately sometimes the take [killing] of bears,” said Gibbs. “I applaud CPW for continuing this grant program, and for all their hard work in the stewardship of Colorado’s wildlife. But it is also our responsibility as community members to do as much as we can to reduce impacts with bears to ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.”
