Watch: 2 bears roam around home in Castle Rock
The bears are out of hibernation, and Coloradans have been seeing them roaming around the Denver metro area.
Bears spotted in Castle Rock neighborhood
FOX31 viewer Courtney Cain shared footage of bears roaming around her home in Castle Rock on May 18. You can watch the video in the player above.
Two bears were seen roaming around the home, across the driveway and on the back porch and snooping in the trash cans.
It's one of several sightings in the area recently. After several people reported sightings in Castle Rock last week, FOX31's Jared Dean spoke with Kara Van Hoose of Colorado Parks and Wildlife about why the sightings are a concern.
'We don't want bears to become habituated and start to equate people with food because when they do that, they become more comfortable around us, they lose their natural fear of humans, and that's when we start to see conflicts,' Van Hoose said.
Wildlife experts say that Coloradans should be aware of bears and make sure homes and cars are protected.
Caught on camera: Bears spotted in Castle Pines after emerging from hibernation
Keep bears out of the house with Colorado Parks and Wildlife's bear-proofing tips:
Close and lock doors and windows
Bearproof trash cans
Guard windows with bars
Keep garage doors closed
Have an 'unwelcome' mat
Keep car doors and windows closed and locked
Remove tree limbs near decks and windows
Install round door handles
Play talk radio when you leave home to deter bears
CPW said storing food, dog food or bird feed in the garage can also attract bears. It also said anything with an odor in cars or garages can attract bears, including (but not limited to) scented candles, air fresheners, soaps, lotions and lip balms.
If a bear comes near your home, CPW recommends scaring it away with a firm yell and loud noises like clapping hands, banging pots and pans or air horns. If a bear enters your home, make sure it can get out the same way it got in. If the bear won't leave, call your local CPW office or, if it presents an immediate threat, call 911.
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