The U.S. Forest Service is requiring all campers to utilize hard-sided campers or trailers after a black bear damaged and entered an unoccupied soft-sided camper at Chapman Campground in western Colorado.

Day use at the campground in the upper Fryingpan River Valley has also been banned.

“We’ve had to move to these restrictions directly because of a black bear getting food from campsites,” Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Kevin Warner said in a release. “This is an easily preventable problem if people follow basic food storage practices that prevent bears and other wildlife from having access to food and coolers.”

The White River National Forest has a food-storage order in effect at all of its developed campgrounds and many of its camping areas in an attempt to prevent black bears and other wildlife from obtaining food from campers.

At the Chapman Campground east of Basalt, there is a bear-resistant food locker and information posted about proper storage for food and attractants, officials said. 

“Keeping bears from getting your food keeps you safe, keeps your neighboring campers and the campers who follow you safe, and helps keep the bears safe,” Warner said. 

For additional information about camping in the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District call 970-963-2266 or click here.