If you care about Colorado's bears, attend this meeting

If you've got ideas for managing Colorado's bear population, state Parks and Wildlife officials want to hear from you.

Parks and Wildlife is seeking input on the development of bear management plans for hunting units west of Colorado Springs, part of an effort to update bear management plans statewide.

Meetings are planned in Colorado Springs, Woodland Park and Canon City to provide information on bear management, including how to maintain healthy bear populations while reducing bear conflicts. The updated plan will apply to Game Management Units in Park, Fremont, Teller, Pueblo and El Paso counties.

"Colorado's wildlife belongs to all Coloradans," said wildlife biologist Julie Stiver. "We manage wildlife based on science and research, but public input is critical in helping us arrive at the best possible plans. We strongly urge Coloradans to participate in managing their wildlife."

Wildlife officials will share information about current and historic status of black bears around Pikes Peak and areas to the south and west and ask for opinions about maintaining local bear populations.

Hunting is the primary tool for meeting population objectives.

Info: Julie Stiver at 719-227-5225 or Julie.Stiver@state.co.us

Bear Management Meetings:

* Woodland Park
6 p.m. June 27
Woodland Park Public Library, 218 E Midland Ave.

* Colorado Springs
6 p.m. July 5
Colorado Springs CPW Office, 4255 Sinton Road

* Canon City
6 p.m. July 9
Canon City Hunter Education Building, Highway 50