A Jefferson County park was shut down Monday after a woman reported a bear grabbing her backpack and scratching her leg while hiking, state wildlife officials said.
The encounter, which happened about 5:20 p.m. Sunday, marks the first reported bear attack in the state this year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. Bear sightings reported to the agency are high this year, which officials say is likely due to the warm and dry winter which has depleted natural food sources, forcing bears to roam farther into neighborhoods to find food.
The woman told CPW she encountered the bear while hiking in Apex Park in Golden. She tried to scare the animal away with sticks and rocks, and she made loud noises, but the bear continued to follow her down the trail for more than 30 minutes.
Two other hikers also tried to scare the bear from the area, but it crossed a gully and started to follow a different pair of hikers on a nearby trail, CPW said.
State wildlife officers could not find the bear when they arrived Sunday night. Jefferson County Open Space closed the park Monday because of the encounter. A bear was seen in a residential area near the park Monday morning, but officials aren’t sure whether it was the same animal seen Sunday.
Between 17,000 to 20,000 black bears call Colorado home and most of them live in places where people camp, hike and backpack. Most conflicts between people and bears happen in places where trash, human food or items with strong odors can attract bears, CPW says.
As of June 12, CPW has received 1,192 reports of bear activity across Colorado.
“This year, it is even more important that humans not provide unhealthy, unsafe food attractants for bears,” Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for CPW said in a news release.
To prevent human-bear conflicts, wildlife officials suggest staying alert while on trails and making noise periodically to warn away bears. CPW also advises placing your food in two bags when hiking to reduce odors and packing out all food and trash.
When camping, cook as far from your tent as possible, don’t store food, trash or clothes worn when cooking inside your tent.
What should you do if you see a bear while on the trail? Here’s what CPWS suggests:
- If you see a bear before it notices you, don’t approach it. Stand still, then quietly move away.
- If a bear sees you, back away slowly. Don’t run as it might trigger a chase response.
- If a bear approaches, hold your ground, wave your arms, and yell “Hey Bear” until it leaves. Carry bear spray, which has been proven to be the easiest and most effective way to deter a bear that threatens you. (But remember, bear spray is a powerful aerosol made from extremely potent capsaicin, the same compound that makes hot peppers “hot.” It doesn’t work like bug repellent — so don’t spray your tent, clothes or belongings.)
Any bear sightings can be reported to the Denver Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office at 303-291-7227 or by calling Colorado State Patrol dispatch at *277.