Local business surprised by bear sighting in parking garage

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Parks and Wildlife anticipates a significant increase in bear encounters this year, a trend already observed in Colorado Springs.

This projection is linked to depleted natural food sources caused by a low snowpack. Evidence of this increase includes a recent incident where a local attorney encountered a bear in his office parking garage.

The mild winter and lack of moisture have forced bears to seek food at lower elevations. This has led to more frequent interactions between bears and humans.

District Wildlife Manager Demetria Wright explained that bears are actively searching for more accessible food sources.

Local attorney Dave Ganderton recounted his surprise when he found a bear in his office parking garage. "My staff texted me and was like hey when are you getting here? And I was like hey I'm here. I'm just chasing a bear out of our parking garage," Ganderton said.

Ganderton initially mistook the animal for a dog. "I thought I saw a dog. I was like oh my gosh, someone lost their dog. There's a dog in the parking garage. I got a little bit closer and realized no that's not a dog. That's a bear. There's a bear in the parking garage at my office."

Ganderton remained in his car and followed the bear until it exited the garage. "There's a bear in the parking garage. It's not something you see every day," Ganderton commented on the unusual event.

Wright emphasized that bears' strong sense of smell is a major factor in their search for food. "They can smell food up to five miles away," Wright stated. This means odors from trash cans can easily attract them.

For public safety, Wright provided several tips for encountering a bear. "Your car alarm, is a great way to scare away a bear," Wright said. She also suggested using noise-making devices, such as a "rattle can," which is an empty soda can with gravel and duct tape. Bear spray can be effective up to 45 feet. She also recommended using an air horn, a car horn, or one's voice and making oneself appear large to black bears, noting they are often more afraid of humans.

Homeowners are advised to remove bird feeders until winter, as bird feed is considered an attractive food source for bears.

Ganderton humorously added a reminder about the consequences of an encounter. "You can't sue a bear," he said.

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