You are moving to near where I grew up and went to college (Laramie)! You'll also be close to a lot of beautiful areas in northern Colorado! The Rawah Wilderness west of Fort Collins and the Mt.Zirkel Wilderness northeast of Steamboat Springs are both great. If you drive to North Park (Walden) south of Laramie, you'll be surrounded by both mountain ranges (Medicine Bow and Park Ranges). However, the Rawah Wilderness is best accessed from the east side (Laramie River Road), while the Mt. Zirkel area can be accesseed from either the east (Big Creek Lakes) or the west (Buffalo Pass or Seedhouse above Steamboat Springs).

Since in those areas, bears are hunted extensively, you probably don't have to worry. If you are lucky enough to see a bear, you'll only see its back side disappearing rapidly. You don't get into grizzly country until you get farther north, a lot closer to Yellowstone. The Wind Rivers are the southern limit of grizz country. A few have been spotted in the southern Winds, but most griz are in the northern part.

Do follow food storge precautions, though; you don't want to be the one whose carelessness teaches a bear that hikers = food!

It is a good idea to keep the kids close. And for everyone, remember that to any predator, if it runs, it's dinner! It's a good idea to drill the kids on safety precautions periodically.

Unless you're "Deadeye Dick," I wouldn't bother with a firearm. If you don't have the skill to hit a charging bear with a fatal shot the first time, forget it. Hell hath no fury like a wounded bear! Plus if you are in a national park, you are not allowed to shoot anything, even in self defense.