HB 26-1342

House Bill 26-1342, also known as "Negligently Luring Bears," changes Colorado law by making it a crime for someone to leave food or garbage out where there's a reasonable chance of attracting wild bears, even if they didn't intend to do so. The bill removes the requirement for a warning before fines are issued and increases penalties for repeat offenders from $2,000 to $5,000. This affects anyone who lives in bear country or visits areas where bears might be attracted by food left out. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now enforceable according to these new rules.

Official Summary

Under current law, a person is guilty of a crime for placing food or edible waste in the open with the intention of luring a wild bear. The law requires a person to be given a warning for the first violation.     The bill:Lowers the mental state requirement from intention to criminal negligence knowingly placing the food or edible waste in the open in circumstances where there is a reasonable probability of luring a wild bear;Repeals the requirement that a first offense be given a warning; andRaises the fine for a third or subsequent offense from $2,000 to $5,000.(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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