Imagine walking into a hotel and finding a black bear looking for a snack. That unusual scene happened at a hotel in Breckenridge, Colorado, when a bear walked through automatic front doors and entered the building early one morning. The bear at the Breckenridge hotel found M&M’s and ate some before becoming trapped inside. Police were called to handle the unexpected visitor and safely get it back outside. Body camera footage later showed officers working to guide the bear out of the building.
The strange visit also highlights a real issue in mountain towns, where bears can enter buildings when they find easy sources of food.
The bear walked into the hotel
The bear entered the Breckenridge hotel through automatic front doors. Once inside, it moved through the building and found food, including M&M’s.
The unusual visitor did not appear to be looking for people. Instead, it was focused on finding something to eat. The bear eventually became trapped inside the building, which meant police had to respond and help remove it safely.
Police were called to handle the bear
Breckenridge police responded after the bear was found inside the hotel. Officers had to deal with a wild animal in a public building while also keeping people away from it.
Body camera footage showed the response. Rather than treating the animal like a normal police emergency, officers worked to move the bear toward an exit so it could leave the building and return to the outdoors.
The bear had already found candy
The bear managed to eat M&M’s after getting inside the hotel. That detail quickly became one of the most memorable parts of the incident because the animal appeared to have found exactly the kind of high-calorie food that can attract bears.
Bears have a strong sense of smell and are skilled at finding food. Human food can be especially tempting because it is often easier to get than natural foods. Once a bear learns that buildings contain food, it may be more likely to return.
Breckenridge is bear country
Breckenridge is a mountain resort community in Colorado, surrounded by areas where black bears live. The town’s police department notes that it serves a mountain resort community that attracts visitors throughout the year.
Seeing a bear in a mountain town is therefore not impossible. The bigger concern comes when bears enter homes, hotels or other buildings while searching for food. These encounters can put both people and bears at risk.
Why food can attract bears
Bears can be drawn to garbage, pet food, birdseed and other items that smell like food. Leaving snacks or food waste where bears can reach them can make encounters more likely.
Wildlife officials generally encourage people in bear country to keep food and trash secured. This helps prevent bears from learning that human areas are easy places to find meals. Keeping bears away from people can also help protect the animals from being harmed or removed after repeated conflicts.
The bear got back outside
The goal of the police response was to get the bear out of the hotel safely. Once the animal was outside, the unusual hotel visit was over.
The incident may sound funny because of the M&M’s, but encounters like this should still be taken seriously. A wild bear can be unpredictable, especially when it is frightened or trapped. The safest response is to keep people away, avoid approaching the animal, and let trained officials handle the situation.
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