Drought increasing bear sightings in Vail Valley

Wildlife officials are warning that last winter’s drought and a hot, dry summer have limited bears’ natural food supplies and are driving the animals into areas they usually don’t travel.

Perry Will with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife department tells the Vail Daily this year is shaping up to be similar to 2002, when another severe drought brought an unusual number of bears into neighborhoods. Several cities in the Vail Valley have reported increased bear sightings.

Meanwhile, Will says the Yeoman Park campground southeast of Eagle has been closed to “soft-sided” shelters, including tents and canvas-walled pop-up campers, because of a habituated bear that is roaming the area. He adds he will close campgrounds if necessary to reduce bear-human conflicts.