Wildlife staff battled to remove a bear that was climbing residential trees in Colorado.

Footage shows workers during the six-hour stand-off as the animal was in deep slumber high in a tree in Golden on May 14.

The animal rummaged through trash in search of food when it was reported by residents from nearby homes.

But when the officers arrived, they found the bear was already atop the hardwood resting after its meal.

After the bear descended, officials attempted to scare it away towards the forest but it promptly climbed another tree.

Officials then used a drone provided by GoldenCOPS to disrupt the bear's comfort zone and blast music in its vicinity to prompt movement.

The bear retreated later in the day and officials urged residents to keep their trash secured to prevent bears from being attracted by them.

California has a thriving black bear population, with an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 living in the wild.