Colorado Parks and Wildlife is warning the public to watch out for bears while camping, hiking or backpacking in bear country. Colorado is home to a large population of black bears, an estimated 17,000 to 20,0000.

There is an overlap between where a majority of these bears live and where humans enjoy recreating, according to Parks and Wildlife. Because of this, it’s crucial that the public understand how to coexist with bears while enjoying the outdoors this summer.

The news release from Parks and Wildlife states that most conflicts between humans and bears can be “traced to easily accessible trash, human food or other attractants with strong odors.” A bear’s natural drive to eat can override its natural fear of humans and when bears become too comfortable around humans, they can destroy property or threaten human safety.

Properly storing food, using bear boxes or bear-resistant canisters when available, and locking one’s property can help keep people and bears safe.

The agency said that bear sightings should always be reported. If a bear comes into a camping site, campers should bang pots and pans or use loud noisemakers like air horns, car horns or whistles to scare the bear away.

“Hazing a bear away can not only keep you safe but also the next camper who visits that site,” the release states.

As of July 11, the wildlife agency has received 1,563 reports of bear activity across the state this year.

Earlier this month in Grand County, a bear cub was hit and killed by a car near Idlewild Campground in Winter Park on July 5. Another bear was shot and killed in self-defense on July 13 in Kremmling, according to Parks and Wildlife.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has a variety of information and tips for living with bears at CPW.State.CO.US/living-bears.