Visitors should not feed Colorado wildlife

Black bears in Colorado's urban areas can stay awake year-round if unnatural food sources remain available. Do your part by keeping food sources like trash and bird seed secured all year long. (Photo courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.)

Although offering food to others is usually considered admirable, feeding wildlife is more harmful than helpful because human food is not always healthy for wild animals.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds and urges the public to refrain from feeding wildlife. Under Colorado law, feeding big game animals is illegal because it risks wildlife health and safety. Many cities have also implemented additional feeding restrictions for squirrels and rabbits.

Those in violation are subject to fines, and even worse, they could cause the animal to become sick and die.