Bear becomes trapped in car

Officials seeing increased bear activity in state

A bear invaded the car of a homeowner outside Nederland on Friday morning and became stuck there before finally being released, and wildlife officials say it’s just one example of increased activity by the animals in Boulder County and elsewhere on Colorado’s Front Range.

“Right now we are having significant bear activity throughout the area up into Estes Park, up in Boulder County and on the west side of the city of Boulder,” said Larry Rogstad, area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

“We are dealing with multiple bear calls every day right now, and because of that, we are really encouraging the public to be bear-aware and be bearappropriate, at their homes and at trailheads and campsites.”

In Friday’s incident, a bear gained entry into an unlocked vehicle at a home on Forsythe Trail south of Magnolia Road. It then apparently was unable to figure out how to get back out, until the car could be opened from the outside, enabling the bear to go on its way. No injuries were reported in the incident.