Golden, CO, USA - May 14, 2024

Colorado Parks and Wildlife — Northeast Region found themselves in an unexpected situation during a recent bear stakeout in Golden near the Mines campus on May 14. What was anticipated to be a swift operation turned into a six-hour waiting game as officials waited for a bear to emerge from its slumber high in a tree.

The bear had become the subject of the stakeout after rummaging through trash and finding food in the area. Upon arrival, officials found the bear comfortably perched in a tree, seemingly unfazed by their presence.

With the goal of discouraging the bear from returning to urban areas in search of food, officials devised a plan to haze the bear upon its descent from the tree. However, the bear proved stubborn, initially refusing to cooperate.

After the bear finally descended, officials attempted to scare it away towards wilder spaces. Yet, to their frustration, the bear promptly climbed another tree, prolonging the standoff.

In a bid to encourage the bear's departure, officials turned to technology, utilizing a drone provided by GoldenCOPS to disrupt the bear's comfort zone. Despite initial annoyance, officials resorted to blasting music in the bear's vicinity to prompt movement.

As the day waned and darkness enveloped the area, the bear finally descended from its perch, retreating into the wilderness under the cover of night.

Reflecting on the encounter, officials emphasized the importance of responsible trash management to prevent human-bear conflicts. They urged residents to keep trash secured until the morning of collection day, thereby reducing the temptation for bears to scavenge in urban areas.