Black Bear Sets Up Shop in Colorado Man's Truck Like He's Got Important Places to Be
A resident of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, got the surprise of a lifetime after discovering a black bear chilling in his truck on June 23.
Justin Pickar was visibly startled when he came face-to-face with the curious bear in the passenger seat, but the animal couldn't have cared less. Whatever he found in the truck must've been delicious! Justin tried to shoo the bear away for several minutes, according to home video footage he shared with news outlets such as CBS, and the unfazed Colorado bear eventually left after Justin changed his strategy.
@cbsnews A man was shocked to find a black bear in the front seat of his pickup truck outside a home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He eventually chased the bear off. No injuries were reported. #bear#colorado#blackbear#animals#animalsoftiktok
original sound - cbsnews
Now that's a huge surprise! To be fair, the bear seemed just as startled to see Justin as he was to find a bear in his car, but neither of them wanted trouble. The wild animal wanted a snack, and Justin wanted to keep his truck intact!
"He just wanted to talk to you about your car's extended warranty," commenter @gatorgirl0814 joked. Well, he certainly got Justin's attention!
Related: Black Bear Takes Relaxing Dip in Hot Tub After Walking Up to Couple's House Like He Owns It
In reality, the petite bear was likely in search of snacks and shelter when he came across the truck, and if the cab was unlocked, it truly couldn't have been easier. Many juveniles leave their mothers the summer after their birth, and this unbothered black bear was likely a yearling finding his way around.
"He's just a baby," agreed @callmetheens. His small size wasn't entirely clear until the very end of the video, when he's running around the side of the car, but it's impossible to miss. He's not a newborn bear cub by any means, but he's still just a little boy!
Black Bears in Colorado
Black bears are the only wild bears living in Colorado, and, despite their name, they're not always black. If you look closely, this bear has a reddish-brown hue to his fur, but black bears can also be honey-colored, brown, blond, or (of course) black!
These curious bears do occasionally cross paths with humans, but they rarely attack unprovoked. In the vast majority of cases, black bears leave people alone once they realize what they are. Sometimes, the noise of people talking can deter a nearby bear, but the presence of a food source can encourage it to stick around.
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Coexisting with bears is possible with a little research and preparation, though nothing can prepare someone for finding a bear in the front seat of their car. Fortunately, no one was injured during this unexpected wildlife encounter, and it's a moment neither one will ever forget!
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This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 4:45 PM.