Larimer County Sheriff Deputies Free Bear Trapped in Vehicle After Foothills Break-In

Larimer County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an unusual vehicle trespass call in the foothills on November 3, where a bear had broken into a car and remained trapped inside, requiring specialized extraction protocols to safely release the animal.

The first deputy to arrive confirmed a bear was inside the vehicle and appeared distressed by its confinement. Additional deputies responded to establish a perimeter and prepare non-lethal deterrent tools before attempting the extraction.

The team used pepperballs as a backup deterrent measure while employing a remote door-release method to free the bear from a safe distance. The animal exited the vehicle after deputies opened the door, leaving behind significant interior damage.

The vehicle owner expressed appreciation for the response despite the extensive damage to the car's interior. No food was stored in the vehicle at the time of the break-in, according to the sheriff's office.

Bear Vehicle Break-Ins Increase Across Foothills Communities

Bear vehicle break-ins have increased across Larimer County over the past decade, particularly in foothills communities near Estes Park, Loveland and Poudre Canyon, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife incident tracking. The incidents typically spike from May through October as bears actively seek food before hibernation.

Most break-ins occur in wildland-urban interface areas where residential development borders bear habitat. Even minor food odors from air fresheners, lotions or food wrappers can attract bears to vehicles, prompting them to force entry through windows or doors.

Property damage from bear vehicle break-ins typically ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars per incident, with torn upholstery, broken windows and destroyed interiors common. Regional insurance claims in Colorado exceed $100,000 in severe years for reported break-ins, according to industry estimates.

Colorado law prohibits feeding bears and requires residents to secure attractants including garbage and food in vehicles, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations. Violators may face citations starting at $100 to $200 for first violations, with higher penalties for repeat offenders.

Non-Lethal Protocols Guide Bear Extraction Operations

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Larimer County Sheriff's Office use non-lethal deterrents as the primary method for removing bears from vehicles, according to official response protocols. Officers maintain safe perimeters and employ noise, remote door opening and pepper-based deterrents only when bears will not voluntarily exit.

Pepperballs serve as a last-resort tool when public safety or animal welfare is at risk. Officers responding to bear conflicts complete specialized wildlife response training covering safe immobilization, deterrent use and animal handling procedures.

CPW leads most bear extraction calls as the state agency responsible for wildlife management, while sheriff's deputies provide support for public safety and scene control. In situations requiring immediate assistance, residents should contact CPW's Northeast Region Office at 970-472-4300 during business hours or Larimer County non-emergency dispatch at 970-416-1985 after hours.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife advises residents to lock vehicle doors, remove all food and scented items from cars, and park in garages or well-lit areas when possible. The agency emphasizes that even vehicles without visible food can attract bears through residual odors from previous meals or scented products.

Residents in foothills neighborhoods adjacent to open space face higher risks of bear encounters. Some subdivisions near Horsetooth Reservoir, Stove Prairie and Estes Park have homeowners association rules requiring bear-resistant trash containers and secured food storage.

Human settlement expansion into wildland areas combined with drought conditions limiting natural forage have contributed to increased bear activity near populated areas over the past decade, according to wildlife managers. Actual incident numbers likely exceed reported cases, as some residents do not file official reports for minor damage covered by insurance.

The sheriff's office reminded residents to lock vehicles to prevent unauthorized access by both human intruders and wildlife.