Black bears are on the move in cities and towns along Colorado’s Front Range and local activists say improperly stored household garbage contributes to the problem.
Authorities have killed some three dozen bears causing problems in Colorado this year. Although no bears have been removed or killed in Boulder yet, there’s plenty of bear activity in and near town.
One bear recently spent the better part of a day in a tree downtown, and another entered a campsite and bit a man while he slept.
Brenda Lee of the Boulder Bear Coalition says the overturned garbage cans she’s seen are a sure sign bears are active. Boulder officials say they’re working to prevent problems by actively fining people for improper storage of trash.