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Bear proof food containers required for campers in Rocky Mountain National Park
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photo by Michael Seraphin, CO Division of Wildlife
Bear problems aren't unique to Anchorage, Alaska - Colorado has its fair share of bruin blues due to poor trash containment.
Rocky Mountain National Park is now mandating the use of bear-proof food containers by people camping overnight in the park.
RMNP's bear population is dwindling at an alarming rate. Protecting the bears from becoming trash-a-holics is one step toward preservation.
Bears are breaking into cars, cabins and tents in search of tasty vittles tucked away by park users putting both the bears and the people in danger.
Human-fed bears usually end up as chronic problems and need to be removed - A fed bear is a dead bear.
-RMNP website
Campers must provide their own containers which can be purchased or rented from sporting goods stores. Failure to secure food will result in citation by park rangers.
Rather than hang food 10 feet high, four feet away in a tree, as was the common standard before canisters, campers should store bear-proof canisters 70 adult steps away from the camp site.
Ranger Berry Sweet, who manages the Park’s back country office.
This requirement applies to all campsites below tree line - car campers, RV users and backpackers.
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