CITY OF DURANGO / BEAR SMART DURANGO BEAR SURVEY RESULTS
In summer of 2003, the City of Durango, the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Bear Smart Durango conducted a survey of residents of Durango, with the intention of better gauging residents thoughts on the extent and root causes of bear and human conflict in the city of Durango. The surveys were included in city residents’ utility bills and mailed to households in Durango. Out of 5,400 surveys sent, 1,089 were returned by residents, nearly a 21% return.
(N/A) indicates no answer. Some questions have multiple answers or residents chose more than one answer.
Do you think Durango has a bear problem?
688 – Yes
329 – No
067 – It’s not a bear problem, it’s a people problem (write-in answer)
068 – N/A
Does your neighborhood have a problem with bears getting into trash receptacles?
478 – Sometimes
395 – Yes
209 – No
010 – N/A
How would you rate the problem in your neighborhood?
612 – Minor problem
243 – Not a problem
224 – Major problem
017 – N/A
What part of Durango do you live in?
354 – West
309 – North
181 – Misc.
112 – South
084 – East
040 – Northwest
009 – Southwest
What type of neighborhood do you live in?
838 – Residential single-family dwellings
225 – Mixed single-family/multi-family
076 – Adjacent to federal or state land
070 – Mixed commercial/residential
035 – Mostly multi-family apartments
025 – Rural
015 – Mobile home park
003 – Agricultural
005 – N/A
When does your neighborhood have the biggest problem with bears and trash?
599 – Early fall
397 – Mid to late summer
171 – There is no problem
136 – Early to mid summer
048 – N/A
When do you put out your trash?
804 – Morning of pick-up
160 – It is always out
148 – Night before pick-up
021 – N/A
Where do you store your trash?
642 – Inside garage, shed, home, or other enclosure
336 – Outside in a trash receptacle next to my house
091 – Outside away from house
066 – In an alley
007 – N/A
The following are known to attract bears. Check those that you think apply to your neighborhood.
724 – Garbage stored outside
679 – Trash receptacles put out night before pickup
603 – Fruit-bearing trees
268 – Bird feeders left out overnight
260 – Outdoor grills not cleaned after food preparation
237 – Pet or livestock food left outside
092 – N/A
What actions are you willing to take to help reduce bear and human conflicts?
664 – Change my habits to avoid issues listed above
460 – Support citations for offenders after appropriate warnings
295 – Pay more to have a bear-proof trash receptacle
078 – Donate my time as a Bear Aware volunteer
180 – N/A
How would you rate your knowledge of how to avoid bear and human conflicts?
920 – I have adequate information on the subject
116 – I have not received enough information
053 – N/A