The new-ish town of Keystone is taking home $40,000 from the state to keep people safe — and keep bears alive.
The Human Bear Conflict Reduction Grant, through Colorado Parks and Wildlife, just awarded nearly $1 million to 22 projects statewide. CPW received 42 applications asking for nearly $2.3 million in funding.
Keystone is the only recipient in Summit County this year. The town’s award pays for new bear-resistant trash cans and enclosures required by a newly passed town ordinance.
“Human-bear conflict measures cannot be successful without collaboration between local communities, wildlife managers and individuals,” CPW Grant Manager Travis Long said in a statement. “Fortunately, CPW has seen success with this grant program with many communities taking advantage of the opportunities this funding provided and implementing projects to help reduce conflicts with bears.”
Also taking home cash are two projects in Eagle County. The Town of Eagle won $39,000 for bear-resistant trash cans at parks and other public places, which, like Keystone, are also required by a new ordinance.
Eagle County School District won $103,000 for bear-resistant trash cans at 21 school campuses between Eagle and Gypsum.
Since 2021 the state has awarded $3.9 million to dozens of projects statewide, many in small, rural mountain towns where bears and people coexist.