Three recent bear encounters in Douglas County neighborhoods have officials exploring the best ways to respond to the growing public safety issue.

Homeowners in the Escavera section of the Woodlands development in Castle Rock were captivated by the presence of a mother bear and two young cubs last week. The family climbed up a tree June 29 and seemed to enjoy all of the attention from below before scurrying into the brush. Wildlife officers tracked the bears and relocated them to an undisclosed location when they did not leave the neighborhood by the following day.

A notification system typically used to warn residents about severe weather was utilized during a bear sighting near University and Colorado boulevards in Highlands Ranch in mid-May. It told homeowners to stay indoors with their children and pets, but the alert had the opposite effect and people swarmed from their homes in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the yearling bear.

Fran Santagata, director of emergency management for Douglas County, reported July 1 to the Douglas Board of County Commissioners, saying a public awareness campaign should be launched to underscore the importance of keeping a safe distance from bears that stroll into residential areas.

“This is not Jellystone,” Santagata said, referring to the fictional park that was home to cartoon character Yogi Bear. “The last thing we want is for a bear to attack a kid, which I could see happening [if this continues].”

Wildlife officers determined that the bear did not pose a threat to humans and allowed it to wander from the area on its own, said Jennifer Churchill, spokeswoman for the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

However, just more than one month later, on June 26, another young male bear walked into Highlands Ranch and climbed a tree on Ramshead Court, just a few yards from Lincoln Avenue.

Officials decided against using the emergency alert system, but responding officers still had trouble controlling the crowd and cordoned off the scene so wildlife personnel could safely tranquilize and remove the bear. The drowsy animal fell from the tree, landing on a trampoline and breaking it.

Unless bears have young, are near busy roads or act aggressively, officers try to allow the bear to leave the area before tranquilizing it. The animals are taken a “good distance that will prevent them from coming back to town,” Churchill said.

Churchill said she is not overly concerned about the increased frequency of bear sightings in Douglas County

“They can wind up in strange places, but for the most part, black bears are not aggressive,” she said.

While it is best for residents to avoid the area and allow wildlife officers to monitor the bear, the added attention can have an indirect benefit. The bears are more likely to stay put when more people are present, enabling trackers to keep a close eye on the animal.

State wildlife leaders are unsure why the bears are descending on neighborhoods at this time of year. One guess is that male yearlings are being ousted from the den by the mother bear and are searching for new territory. Another theory is the animals are using their strong sense of smell to search for discarded food or birdfeeders.

It is unclear if officers who responded to the Escavera sighting found any attractants that might have lured the bears. The division of wildlife warns the public about placing birdfeeders in their yard; there are ways to attract birds without putting out food, Churchill said.

Those who live in or near bear habitats should keep garage doors closed and avoid leaving trash outside. Residents should also regularly clean their barbecue grills. For more information, visit wildlife.state.co.us.