ASPEN, Colo.—Wildlife managers struggling to keep drought-beleaguered bears at bay may get some help from the Pitkin County commissioners, who are considering tougher rules for people who don’t bear-proof garbage cans.
The commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday on a proposed ordinance that would impose fines of up to $1,000 on homeowners who don’t have bear-proof their garbage bins or enclosures.
The existing ordinance is complaint-driven, but the proposed law would allow animal safety officers to tag trash bins and fine first-time offenders $350. Fines would increase to $500 for the second time $1,000 for the third.
State wildlife officers have had to euthanize several bears this summer, including two large male bears in one week in the Aspen area earlier this month.
Reports of conflicts with bears are up in Steamboat Springs, western Colorado and the Estes Park area. State wildlife officers in Estes Park and to the east in Big Thompson Canyon said they are responding to calls about bear sightings several times a day.
Officers place much of the blame on people who don’t use bear-proof garbage containers or take other steps, such as making sure there’s no pet food outside.
This summer has been particularly tough because a late frost and the drought have led to a scarcity of berries and other normal bear fare.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife will trap and relocate troublesome bears but sometimes the animals are deemed too aggressive or too used to people and the garbage and food they leave out. They figure those animals will find their way back.
ReRe Baker, the county animal control officer, said at the commissioners’ work session Tuesday that she’s tired of handing out warnings that don’t seem to make a difference.
Perry Will, area wildlife manager with the state Wildlife Division, urged commissioners to approve the ordinance. He said it takes only person leaving out garbage to habituate bears to human food.
The proposal would require waste haulers in the county to provide all customers who request them with containers certified wildlife-proof. Areas around the containers would have to be kept clean and free of garbage.
“If we have to be looked at tough guys…then so be it,” Commissioner Jack Hatfield said.
