Bears in Colorado in September
Yes, September is a good month to see bears in Colorado. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 338 of the 2,340 sightings logged across the year (14.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Good month for bears in Colorado
14.4%
of yearly sightings
338
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
2,340
verified records a year
August 18.5%, September 14.4%, October 7%. Busiest month is June at 20%.
2,340 verified observations of bears in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
June
469 records (20% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 0.5% |
| February | 8 | 0.3% |
| March | 39 | 1.7% |
| April | 83 | 3.5% |
| May | 273 | 11.7% |
| Junepeak | 469 | 20% |
| Julypeak | 467 | 20% |
| Augustpeak | 434 | 18.5% |
| September | 338 | 14.4% |
| October | 163 | 7% |
| November | 42 | 1.8% |
| December | 13 | 0.6% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 2,340 |
In Colorado, September carries 14.4% of the year's bears sightings, about 6.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (18.5%) into September, and it heads toward October (7%) after. The busiest month is June (20%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in Colorado are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear2,340 records
Plan your bear trip in Colorado
Start with live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Colorado in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 338 of the 2,340 verified bears sightings logged in Colorado across the year, which is 14.4% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see bears in Colorado?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bears in Colorado?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 2,340 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Colorado?+
The most-recorded species in Colorado are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Colorado in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Colorado