Skip to Content
Sign In
Donate
Calendar
FAQs
Contact Us
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE
Things To Do
Boating
Boat Inspection
Boat Registration
Boating Safety
Where to Go Boating
Camping
Camping Reservations
Learn to Camp
Camp in Cabins
Camp in Yurts
Family and Kids
Activities Backpacks
Resources for Kids
Wildlife Discovery
Fishing
Fishing Licenses
Learn to Fish
Where to Fish
Awards & Records
Fishing Report
Season Dates
Statewide Conditions
Stocking Report
Hunting
Hunting Licenses
Where to Hunt
5-Year Season Structure
Big Game
Mountain Lion
Small Game
Turkey
Waterfowl
Motorized Recreation
Off-Highway Vehicles
OHV Safety
OHV Trails
Snowmobiles
Register a Snowmobile
Register an OHV
Registration Locations
Outdoor Recreation
All Outdoor Activities
Biking
Geocaching
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Shooting Sports
Skiing & Snowshoeing
Trails
Volunteer
Watch Wildlife
Birding
Events & Festivals
Wildlife Sighting Forms
Learn
Conservation
Birds
Fish and Aquatics
Grassland Species
Mammals
Recovery & Conservation Plans
Sagebrush & Sage Species Conservation Strategy
Threatened & Endangered Species
Education
Archery in Schools
SOLE
Teacher Resources
Wild Classroom
Get Outdoors
Colorado Outdoors
Learn to Camp
Learn to Fish
Learn to Hunt
Library Backpacks
Survival Skills
Trails
Hunter Education
Hunter Ed - Online
Hunter Ed - Traditional
Hunter Outreach
Mountain Lion Exam
Learn about Wildlife
Living with Wildlife
Species Profiles
Research
Aquatic
Avian
Habitat
Mammal
Wildlife Health
Video
Video Library
Places to go
CPW Locations
CPW Office Locations
Fish Hatcheries
Sales Agents
Maps
Boatable Waters
Fishing Atlas
Hunting Atlas
Maps Library
Parks
Buy Park Passes
State Park Finder
CPW Passport
Host an event in a Park
Request a Parks Guide
Shooting Ranges
Cameo Complex
Ranges by Region
Shooting on Public Land
Trails
CO Birding Trail
Colorado Trail System
Wildlife Areas
State Trust Lands
Wildlife Area Finder
About us
About
Accessibility
Annual Reports
Leadership team
Military Benefits
What We Do
Wildlife Council
News and Media
Open Records Requests
Careers
Contact Us
Commission
Meetings
Members
Get Involved
Apply for a Grant
Donate
Park Resource Stewardship
Partners
River Watch
Sponsorship
Sportsperson's roundtable
Subscribe to Colorado Outdoors Magazine
Volunteer
Policy And Planning
SCORP
State Wildlife Action Plan
Strategic Planning
Programs
Colorado Natural Areas
Habitat Partnership Program
Invasive Species
Land & Water Management
Private Land Programs
River Outfitters
Trails
Rules and Regulations
Law Enforcement
Registrations & Permits
Regulations
Regulations Brochures
Special Wildlife Licenses
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Buy & Apply
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
About Us
CPW News Release
CPW News Release
bighorn
renew-annual-fishing
All Site Content
CPW News Release
Page Image
Page Content
5/27/2019
Search underway for aggressive bear, bit woman as she hiked near Aspen Monday morning
Search underway for aggressive bear, bit woman as she hiked near Aspen Monday morning
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mike Porras
CPW NW Region PIO
970-255-6162
5/27/2019
Search underway for aggressive bear, bit woman as she hiked near Aspen Monday morning
ASPEN, Colo. - Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are looking for an aggressive bear that bit a woman on the thigh as she and her husband hiked on the Hunter Creek Trail near Lone Pine Road in Aspen at approximately 9:15 this morning.
The woman reported that she and her husband were walking back to Aspen when they saw a bear walking toward them on the trail. The woman says they tried to give the bear space and stepped off the trail. As the bear walked by, she says it suddenly turned, charged and bit her before it ran off and disappeared from view.
According to investigating officers, the bite wound did not appear serious. CPW is not releasing the identity of the woman.
CPW officers have called in experts with the USDA's Wildlife Services to assist with tracking the bear, described as light brown and weighing approximately 200-300 lb. As of Monday evening, the bear had not been located.
CPW officials say considering the attack occurred near Aspen, it is possible the bear may enter city limits before it is found. They urge all residents to be cautious.
"This is an aggressive bear and by policy, we will put it down if found," said CPW Officer Matt Yamashita." But until we find it, the public should remember what to do if they see any bear. If it appears aggressive or shows no fear of humans, do not approach it. Haze it away by yelling or banging pots and pans, then call CPW or 911 immediately."
Yamashita says bears usually stay away from people but if a bear has been fed or has lost its natural fear of humans, they can be extremely dangerous.
If you see a bear, CPW officials offer these basic tips:
Do not run from a bear, stand your ground and talk firmly to the animal
If it continues to approach, throw rocks and sticks, wave your arms and yell loudly
If the bear attacks, fight back as aggressively as possible and do not stop until the bear runs off
"Fortunately, these incidents remain very rare," said Yamashita. "But when people and bears interact, it can increase the possibility of a dangerous conflict. This woman was lucky that she was not seriously injured."
The section of the Hunter Creek Trail up to the Lani White Trail remains closed until further notice while officers search for the bear. For more information about the closure, contact Pitkin County Open Space.
CPW will conduct a full necropsy on the animal if it is found.
For more information about bears in Colorado, including hiking in bear country, visit
cpw.state.co.us/bears
.
CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
Share
Tweet
Forward
Website
Copyright ©
2019
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.