Black bear eats baked goods at Aspen farmers market booth before police haze it away

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said a black bear ate baked goods from a booth at the Aspen Saturday Market on Saturday. Aspen police hazed the animal, which climbed a tree and left. CPW has recorded a record number of bear encounters and conflicts this year, citing extreme drought and the fall feeding period known as hyperphagia.

A black bear stood on its hind legs and ate baked goods from a booth at the Aspen Saturday Market on Saturday, Sept. 26, prompting Colorado Parks and Wildlife to warn residents about wildlife activity near people.

Videos of the bear at the Louis Swiss booth in downtown Aspen were viewed hundreds of thousands of times on social media. Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Joey Livingston said officials received a report of the bear loitering in downtown Aspen while vendors were setting up for the market.

Aspen police hazed the bear while a CPW officer was on the way. Livingston said the bear climbed a tree and later left the area.

CPW said it has recorded a record number of bear encounters and conflicts this year. The agency said extreme drought is reducing natural food sources for bears and other wildlife.

Bears are entering hyperphagia, the period of compulsive feeding before winter hibernation. During that phase, bears can eat up to 20,000 calories a day and feed for as long as 22 hours.

CPW said feeding bears and other wildlife is illegal in Colorado. The agency said feeding wildlife disrupts normal behavior, spreads disease and makes wild animals more comfortable around people. CPW said that raises the risk of attacks on pets and people and can lead to animals being euthanized.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife urged residents to secure trash, remove attractants and avoid contact with bears while the animals look for food ahead of winter.