ESTES PARK, Colo. (KDVR) – Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported that a bear broke into a vehicle Wednesday night in Estes Park.

How to prevent human/bear conflict:

• Keep garbage in a well-secured enclosure.
• Only put out garbage on the morning of pickup; bring empty cans back inside before dark.
• Use a bear-resistant trash can or dumpster. These are available online or from your trash hauler.
• Clean all garbage cans regularly to keep them odor free. The scent of ammonia can deter bears.
• Take down all bird feeders. Bird feeders are a major source of bear/human conflicts – 397 conflicts because of them in 2019 alone. Birds have naturally available food sources during the spring, summer and fall. Don’t let your bird feeder become a bear feeder.
• Don’t leave pet food or stock feed outside – never provide food sources for any wildlife.
• Clean all BBQ grills.
• Keep garage doors and windows closed and locked, especially between dusk and dawn.
• Don’t leave attractants such as snacks, food wrappers, gum, or even scented hand lotions in your car; and always lock vehicle doors.
• Use bear boxes or bear-proof containers for food and scented items when camping.
• Don’t leave food outside while camping. If bear boxes aren’t available, leave all food in the trunk of a locked vehicle as your last resort.
• Review CPW’s Bearproofing Your Home Fact Sheet and conduct a home audit to be sure you are not attracting bears to your property.
• Talk to your neighbors and kids about being bear aware.

For more information visit Living with Bears in Colorado