CO Black Bear Unit 43

CO 43 — Tactical Analysis. Terrain & Access CO 43 spans 336,309 acres across the high country of western Colorado, with elevation climbing from 5,650 to 14,042 feet. Nearly 80% is public land—primarily national forest—offering ample opportunity for foot access and exploration. The 27% wilderness designation means roughly one-quarter of the unit requires serious backcountry travel, but the majority remains accessible via roads and trails. The dramatic vertical relief creates layered habitat: lower-elevation ponderosa and piñon-juniper giving way to aspen and spruce-fir at higher elevations. This gradient supports strong bear habitat diversity and allows hunters flexibility in targeting..