COLORADO SPRINGS — A Colorado Springs man shared video from his home surveillance system showing a black bear frustrated with a well-secured trash can in his driveway.
Isaak Brisk refers to the black bear as his "nightly visitor" stopping in to get the goods inside the trash can. The bin is strapped shut, so the bear decides a move to a new location might help.
The large animal went up on hind legs to tip the can over to simplify the process of pushing it along.
Brisk says he found the trash can still strapped shut but across the street.
In 2020, a new ordinance went into effect for Colorado Springs residents living west of I-25 to secure their trash cans to avoid bear encounters.
People have the option to use an existing trash can as long as it is secured in a garage or shed. Or to purchase a bear-proof trash can.
An initial violation could cost $100, while three or more would cost $500. Recycling bins do not have to be bear-resistant.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, a third of all bear reports in Colorado last year were traced to trash as an attractant. The stats for 2020 show out of more than 4,900 reports, 1,600 plus were linked to trash.
In 2020, @COParksWildlife received 4,943 reports on bears. The first one was on Jan. 3 in Aspen and the last of the year was on Dec. 29 in Aurora.
— CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) February 3, 2021
Here is a progression map of when and where the bear reports come in across #Colorado. pic.twitter.com/qnYtVhCDXX
Bears are also attracted to bird feeders and unsecured chicken coops which can cause issues and human interactions.
As the animals prepare to go into hibernation in the coming months most are now in full-blown hangry mode.
Another term is hyperphagia, or an increased hunger and appetite as they fatten up for winter hibernation.
This means that encounters between bears and humans could increase.
So remember, close your garage doors, secure your trash and check dumpsters before you open them.
