HB 16-1220 Summary

• Changes the legal starting date for black bear hunting from September 2 to August 2 each year, subject to parks and wildlife commission authorization or statute.

• Modifies Colorado Revised Statutes 33-4-101.3 to make it unlawful to take black bears from March 1 through August 1, but allows taking bears from August 2 to September 1 if authorized by commission rule or statute.

• Finds that human-bear conflicts in Colorado have increased 4 percent annually since 1995, more than doubling, while human population growth has been less than 2 percent per year.

• Notes that most human-bear incidents occur after August 1 during mid to late summer, whereas traditional fall hunting has proven ineffective at reducing specific conflicts, and earlier hunting season may improve effectiveness of hunting as a management tool.

• Declares the act necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety due to rising human injuries and bear euthanasia resulting from conflicts.