CPW asking residents to leave pumpkins inside to avoid attracting bears and deer

STATEWIDE, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is asking residents to stay extra vigilant with their pumpkins as bears continue to be active across the state.

According to CPW, leaving pumpkins out in yards can be a wildlife attractant. This includes bears, deer and racoons. CPW says they usually ask the public to make sure to properly discard or compost pumpkins after Halloween, but they're taking it one step further.

Now, they say pumpkins shouldn't be left outside overnight, even before they are carved. CPW says it has already seen bears entering people's yards and grocery stores to eat pumpkins. According to officials, pumpkins are high in fiber and vitamins for bears.

“We see it every year, and it always gets worse this time of year,” CPW Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta said in a press release. “Right now is a great opportunity to clean up your yard of items a curious animal might stick its nose in or get wrapped up in. And when you’re putting up holiday decorations, keep our wildlife in mind. These impairments can really affect their mobility, vision and ability to eat and drink.”

According to CPW, it is also important to be aware of where Halloween and other holiday decorations are high enough to prevent animals from getting entangled. They recommend placing decorations higher than six feet or tying them tightly to trees and buildings.

Bears will remain active throughout most of October as they continue through hyperphagia and look for food. CPW says bears can be encouraged to den sooner if they avoid giving them access to human-provided food sources like pumpkins.

They also say deer eating pumpkins can attract other predators like mountain lions, and animals scavenging like raccoons.

CPW says pumpkins should be brought inside and put in a window. They say they should be kept inside during the day. They also report that several communities and food banks will offer pumpkin drop-off events for those who are looking to throw away or compost their pumpkins.