CUPD news release
A University of Colorado student called the CU Police Department at 7:53 a.m. today to report a bear on the loose outside of the Williams Village housing complex. According to the caller, the bear was roaming on a grass field adjacent to the Bear Creek Apartments. He proceeded to a tree along 30th Street, west of Darley Commons.
The bear rested on a tree branch about 15 feet above the ground for two hours. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers shot a tranquilizer dart into the bear at 10:17 a.m. A few minutes later, CU Facilities Management staff brought in thick Recreation Center mats to help cushion the bear鈥檚 fall. At 10:28 a.m., the bear fell onto the mats. The bear stayed put as an officer tagged the animal. (If the bear is encountered again, wildlife officials will know its history).
The bear was loaded into a cage around 10:45 a.m. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the bear will be released at a higher elevation 鈥� possibly in the mountains west of Boulder.
The male black bear is believed to be 3 to 5 years old and weighing approximately 200 pounds.
University Police officers closed one direction of 30th Street for the duration of the incident. Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers and CU Family Housing grounds personnel also assisted.
For information on bear safety tips and how to 鈥渒eep them wild,鈥� please visit听.
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CONTACT:
Ryan Huff, Communications Manager, Police Department
303-492-7581 /听ryan.huff@colorado.edu
Jennifer Churchill, Colorado Parks & Wildlife spokeswoman
303-291-7234 /听jennifer.churchill@state.co.us