Kat Ramkumar / CT Mirror

Connecticut officials estimate the state’s black bear population at between 1,000 and 1,200. And they often come face-to-face with the state’s human population. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has received reports of more than 7,300 bear sightings so far in 2026.

More than six dozen Connecticut laws addressing the state’s housing growth, absentee ballot rules, availability of AI resources and more will wholly or partially take effect on July 1.