Bear that prompted lockdowns at 2 Arvada schools euthanized

Wildlife officials have euthanized a female bear that prompted two suburban Denver schools to be briefly locked down when it was wandering nearby.

According to The Denver Post, wildlife officials say the bear was euthanized because they feared it would starve to death or get hit by a car if it was released.

Jefferson County schools spokeswoman Michelle Lyng says the bear was spotted Thursday morning and students at Arvada’s Ralston Valley High School and Meiklejohn Elementary were ordered to stay inside. No students were hurt.

Wildlife officers tranquilized the bear at the high school before euthanizing it.

In Boulder, officials temporarily locked down an elementary school Thursday after a bear was spotted on a tree nearby. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says the bear was allowed to leave on its own.