Mother bear warning in Douglas County's Roxborough area after vehicle kills bear cub

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking people to avoid a greenbelt in the Roxborough area after a bear cub was hit by a vehicle and died.

“The mama bear is in the area and in a very dangerous mode right now," the sheriff's office tweeted July 19. "Please do not approach; just stay away from the area right now. If the bear becomes aggressive towards people or pets, please call 9-1-1 right away.”

The area is near the Roxborough skate park off Rampart Range Road and Village Circle East, southwest of Highlands Ranch.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife was notified of the incident at about noon, spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said.

“We have no reason to believe the mother bear is still in the area,” Van Hoose said just before 3 p.m. “She has not been located. If we do find an adult bear nearby, it can be difficult to tell if it's the same mother bear to the cub because we do not have DNA or a tag on the bear. People should always be aware of bears in Roxborough as it's a popular location for bears. Mother bears can be territorial when their cubs are nearby.”

The sheriff's office also posted about recent bear sightings July 9 on Facebook.

One deputy recently responded to a report of a bear off Tenby Way around the community pool in Castle Pines, and a corporal came across a bear in the Roxborough area who “had quite a snack, going through several trash cans,” the post says.

The sheriff’s office offered tips for staying safe regarding bears:

• Secure your trash: Bears have an incredible sense of smell and are attracted to food waste. Make sure to use bear-resistant containers or store your garbage in a secure area until pick-up day.

• Bird feeders can attract bears. If you live in an area prone to bear activity, consider removing feeders temporarily.

• Be cautious on hikes: Be sure to make noise and keep an eye out for signs of bear activity. Stick to marked trails, travel in groups and carry bear spray for added protection.

• Spread the word about bear safety. Share these tips with your friends, family and neighbors, ensuring that everyone in the community knows how to coexist safely with wildlife.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife also offers tips on what to do if you encounter a bear at tinyurl.com/BearSafetyColorado.