How community can influence local laws.

Problem: Unsecured trash is the #1 reason bears come into town. As a result, these bears are seen as “nuisance bears,” which significantly increase their chance of being euthanized.

Solution: Secure trash throughout town. If bears can’t access easy calories that they get from unsecured trash, they are much less likely to stay in town. Pass and enforce trash laws to ensure that citizens are removing this dangerous attractant.

Case Study: In March 2014 the city of Boulder implemented a new Bear Protection Ordinance where all residential and commercial properties in the Bear Protection Ordinance Zone are required to use bear resistant containers for trash and compost.

Over a several year period, Boulder Bear Coalition photo documented thousands of trash cans strewn by bears throughout Boulder. Bringing this to the attention of City Council, including a clear solution (identifying problem areas, meeting with local trash companies, holding community meetings, educating city about bear resistant carts, etc.) resulted in a unanimous decision to require the use of bear resistance trash carts across a large part of Boulder.

Critical Elements for Success: Create relationships and work to understand options and critical stakeholders, eg. trash haulers, bear resistant cart manufacturers and city council members.