What Drew a Black Bear Into Grand Junction Neighborhoods?

In Grand Junction, most people expect to wake up to sprinklers, barking dogs, or lawnmowers, but not a black bear wandering through your yard. This past Saturday morning, that’s exactly what happened over in Fruitvale.

Sometimes we see a moose wander off the Mesa, a bear in Fruita, or a mountain lion in the Redlands. This time, a bear almost made it to Central High School in Grand Junction. Here’s a closer look at what happened.

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Where Was the Bear Spotted in Grand Junction?

Bear Spotted Roaming Grand Junction Backyards Before Sunrise — Google Maps/Canva

According to a post shared by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, reports of a bear sighting began to come in around 5 a.m. on Saturday from residents on Beverly Lane and Maxwell Drive in Fruitvale. Ring video doorbells and home security cameras captured video of the bear. Soon after the calls started coming in, officers and Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff arrived at Campbell Estates in Northeastern Grand Junction. See a video of the bear here.

How Colorado Parks and Wildlife Handled the Situation

Once officers located the bear, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers safely tranquilized the animal and transported it to the Grand Mesa National Forest. Can you imagine what this animal will think when it wakes up? Officials reported no injuries to the bear or Fruitvale/Clifton area residents. Relocation is common this time of year when bears wander down into the Grand Valley.

Why Are Bears Showing Up in Grand Junction Neighborhoods?

Several posts on social media have already mentioned lots of bear and mountain lion tracks along the Colorado River. I’ve seen several comments about tracks near the river in Palisade. Trash cans, pet food, bird feeders, fruit trees, outdoor grills, and all things bears want to take a closer look at. The bear is lucky it wandered into town early in the morning before the traffic started. It’s also lucky to have stayed off Patterson (F Road).

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