Bears in neighborhoods result in bearproof trash can mandate

Bear-resistant containers help reduce bear-human encounters

Areas in the U.S. with large bear populations know what a nuissance bears and other animals can be for local residents. The biggest attractants for bears searching for food in residential areas, is bird feeders and trash containers. When bears find food in dumpsters or in neighborhood trash cans or homes with bird feeders they will keep coming back. That's why more and more towns are implementing bear-resistant trash container mandates in an effort to reduce bear-human encounters. Bearproof containers have been proven as effective deterrants for bears and other animals getting into people's trash.

So you may ask yourself, what cities and towns have the largest bear population?

Here’s a comprehensive list of U.S. places with the largest or growing populations of black bears, brown bears, and grizzly bears where bearproof waste containers like cans, dumpsters, and enclosures are required or strongly recommended for safety.

Black Bears – Largest Populations & Bearproof Container Areas

State	Estimated Black Bear Population	Notable Cities/Regions	Bearproof Requirements/Notes
North Carolina	~20,000+	Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains	BearWise communities promote bear-resistant bins
Pennsylvania	~18,000	Pocono Mountains, Statewide	Voluntary & recommended in bear-prone areas
California	~15,000	Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada foothills	Required in Tahoe & National Parks
Alabama	~12,000	Talladega National Forest area	Bear-proof containers promoted
New York	~10,000	Adirondacks, Catskills	Recommended for trash in many counties
Michigan	~7,000	Upper Peninsula	Strongly recommended in rural/suburban
Vermont	~6,000	Green Mountains	Required in some towns near forested areas
Maine	~5,000	Northern Maine, Appalachian region	Recommended, some municipalities require it

 

Brown Bears / Grizzly Bears – Largest Populations & Bearproof Container Areas

State	Estimated Population	Regions/Cities	Bearproof Requirements/Notes
Alaska	~30,000+	Anchorage, Juneau, Interior Alaska	Strict enforcement of bearproof dumpsters/enclosures
Montana	~1,800-2,000	Missoula, Bozeman, Glacier Park area	Required for trash in grizzly zones
Wyoming	~600-700	Jackson Hole, Yellowstone vicinity	Mandatory IGBC-certified bearproof containers
Idaho	~1,000	Northern Idaho, Coeur d'Alene	Recommended in grizzly zones
Washington	~100-150	North Cascades, Spokane	Increasing requirements in forest-adjacent areas

Brown Bears (Non-Grizzly) & Other Populations

• California’s coastal brown bears: Historic but very rare/extirpated; black bears dominant.
• Washington & Oregon: Mostly black bears; small grizzly populations in northern forests.

 

Summary of Key Places Requiring Bearproof Waste Solutions

Location	Bear Type	Approx. Population	Notes on Bearproof Waste Requirements
Gatlinburg, TN	Black Bear	~1,000+	Mandatory bear-resistant dumpsters for public safety
Aspen, CO & Rocky Mtn towns	Black & Grizzly	Mixed	IGBC-certified dumpsters/enclosures required
Jackson, WY & Teton County	Grizzly & Black	~600+ (grizzly)	Strict bearproof container rules
Lake Tahoe Basin (CA/NV)	Black & Grizzly	1,500+ (mixed)	Bearproof containers required in residential/business zones
Anchorage & Interior Alaska	Brown & Grizzly	30,000+	Strict bearproof container laws, public safety focus
Great Smoky Mountains, NC/TN	Black Bear	~20,000+	BearWise communities promote resistant trash cans

Now that we've identified where the bears are, what can we do about it?

How do I find out if my town requires bearproof containers?

Several U.S. states experience significant issues with bears—especially black bears—entering residential areas and accessing garbage, prompting widespread use or even requirements for bear-resistant containers. These problems typically arise in states with high bear populations near urban or suburban zones, often in or near mountain or forested areas.
Here are the top U.S. states with problematic bear-human conflicts and where bear-resistant containers are recommended or required:

1. Colorado

• Hotspots: Aspen, Durango, Boulder, Colorado Springs.
• Issues: Frequent bear break-ins into trash, garages, and homes.
• Regulations: Many towns and counties require bear-resistant trash cans, especially during bear season (spring through fall).

2. California

• Hotspots: Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada foothills, Yosemite gateway communities.
• Issues: Bears breaking into cars and dumpsters.
• Regulations: National parks and many municipalities require bear-proof containers or enclosures.

3. Montana

• Hotspots: Missoula, Bozeman, areas near Yellowstone and Glacier.
• Issues: Black and grizzly bear conflicts; trash is a major attractant.
• Regulations: Mandatory bear-resistant containers in many neighborhoods.

4. Wyoming

• Hotspots: Jackson Hole, Cody, and Greater Yellowstone area.
• Issues: Both black bears and grizzlies frequent residential zones.
• Regulations: Bear-resistant containers are often required in Teton County and near parks.

5. Alaska

• Hotspots: Anchorage, Juneau, and surrounding wilderness areas.
• Issues: Bears frequently roam into towns for garbage.
• Regulations: Strict enforcement in populated bear corridors; bear-proof containers are strongly advised.

 6. Washington

• Hotspots: Spokane, Leavenworth, areas near national forests.
• Issues: Increasing bear sightings in neighborhoods.
• Regulations: Cities and counties near bear habitats promote or require resistant cans.

 7. Oregon

• Hotspots: Bend, Ashland, and coastal mountain areas.
• Issues: Bears breaking into unsecured trash and compost bins.
• Regulations: Some areas have passed ordinances or provide bear-resistant bins to residents.

8. North Carolina

• Hotspots: Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains area.
• Issues: Bears have become bold in neighborhoods.
• Regulations: BearWise communities promote resistant bins; some local ordinances apply.

9. Tennessee

• Hotspots: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge (Smoky Mountains).
• Issues: High tourist traffic leads to bear habituation.
• Regulations: Bear-resistant containers are used in parks and some residential areas.

10. Nevada

• Hotspots: Incline Village, Lake Tahoe.
• Issues: Bears enter homes and dig through trash.
• Regulations: Bear-resistant garbage systems are required in many areas near Lake Tahoe.

If you're managing waste or living in bear-prone zones in any of these states, bear-resistant containers are often a necessity—not just for convenience, but for safety and legal compliance.

Here’s a detailed overview of U.S. cities, counties, and states that require or strongly recommend bear‑proof metal dumpsters and enclosures:

Cities & Counties with Mandatory Bear‑Proof Waste Ordinances
Gatlinburg, Tennessee (Sevier County)

• Enforced since 1999 via Ordinance 2188, expanded in 2023.
• Requires all dumpsters, receptacles, and businesses (especially restaurants) within designated zones to use animal‑resistant dumpsters or enclosures
• Starting January 2024, the city-owned Bearicuda dumpsters are deployed city-wide

Colorado Springs, Colorado (El Paso County)

• Since March 1, 2020, residents and businesses west of I‑25 must use certified bear‑resistant trash containers or store trash indoors, only putting it out on collection day between 5 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Ordinance applies across residential, commercial, and industrial zones within the mapped Bear Management Area.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

• Passed ordinance requiring all residential and commercial areas to use IGBC‑certified bear‑resistant containers, dumpsters, or enclosures
• Trash haulers must provide compliant containers and residents must store and secure waste properly.

Teton County & Town of Jackson, Wyoming

• Teton County: As of July 1 2022, requires IGBC‑certified bear‑resistant dumpsters/enclosures throughout the county, including rural zones
• Town of Jackson: Within its Bear Conflict Zone, all trash must be stored in certified bear‑proof containers or inside enclosures/buildings

Additional Colorado Mountain Towns & Counties
Several communities across the Rockies mandate wildlife-proof containers:

• Aspen, Snowmass Village, Vail, Frisco, Dillon, Breckenridge, Winter Park, Grand Lake, Fraser, Eagle County, Pitkin County all have ordinances that require metal or wildlife-resistant containers/enclosures for trash stored outside
• Summit County: Requires watertight metal/nonabsorbent containers with tight lids

National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin

• The USDA Forest Service's Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit enforces a Forest Order (effective Jan 1, 2024) requiring wildlife-resistant dumpsters and food lockers at campgrounds, and hard-sided bear canisters for overnight hikers

Summary Overview

Location	Requirement
Gatlinburg, TN	All dumpsters & restaurants use animal-resistant containers/enclosures
Colorado Springs, CO (west of I-25)	Certified bear-resistant cans or secure indoor storage required
Steamboat Springs, CO	IGBC-certified containers/enclosures across residential + commercial zones
Teton County & Jackson, WY	IGBC-certified bear-proof dumpsters/enclosures throughout county + zone
Aspen, Vail, Snowmass, Breck, etc.	Metal/nonabsorbent or wildlife-proof containers/enclosures required
Lake Tahoe National Forest	Wildlife-resistant dumpsters at campgrounds; bear canisters for hikers

✅ Why These Ordinances Matter

• Reduce human–bear conflicts, prevent food conditioning.
• Protect wildlife from relocation or euthanasia.
• Ensure public safety by keeping bears away from populated areas.