After increased bear activity led to the euthanizing of a bear in Boulder and several other bruins across the state, Boulder city officials are asking that residents take precautions to avoid attracting more into neighborhoods.
There have been several bear sightings around the city, said Julie Johnson of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. In one instance, a person was feeding a bear peanuts, she said.
Boulder officials worry that bears will come to rely on humans for food. They are asking residents not to leave trash cans or garbage out overnight, as bears are starting to eat more to store up for the winter.
“(Bears) have a fabulous sense of smell,” Johnson said. “They can smell something from 4 miles away.”
With classes at the University of Colorado recommencing Aug. 27, the majority of garbage issues have been from move-in trash, said Brett Weideman, the city’s code-enforcement supervisor.
No tickets have been issued this year because of animals getting into overflowing or improperly stored trash, and Weideman said he has not heard reports of animals getting into trash.
But a resident could be ticketed for not cleaning up trash that an animal has gotten into, he said. It’s also illegal to leave trash and recycling out unless it is the day of collection.
“If it’s a mess and it hasn’t been cleaned up in a reasonable time, we will issue a ticket,” Weideman said.
He said the city tries to avoid punitive measures and prefers to focus on education. Weideman did not have an exact estimate of people who had been ticketed in years past for animals getting into their trash but said it was only a handful of cases.
First-time fines are $100 but can reach $1,000.
City officials recommend storing garbage cans in a shed or garage and to periodically rinse cans out to keep bears from picking up the scent of food.
Staff writer Sara Crocker can be reached at 303-954-1661 or scrocker@ .
If you should encounter a bruin
Never run. Running can make a bear chase you.
Keep your distance. Back slowly away from the bear. Avoid direct eye contact.
Gather children around you and leash your dog.
Slowly and calmly leave the area. Talk aloud in a low voice so the bear will be aware of your presence.
Never throw food to distract a bear.
Fight back if attacked. Black bears have been driven away when people fight with rocks, sticks, binoculars or even their bare hands.
Report bear sightings by calling 911 or the Bear Hotline at 720-564-2020.
Source: City of Boulder
