Crystal Lakes
Bear Aware Team
The Crystal Lakes Bear Aware Team was formed by the Colorado Department of Wildlife in 2005. At that time, bear break-ins in the Crystal Lakes area exceeded 100 per year. The average cost of a break-in was $1,800, with a total estimated cost to the community of more than $150,000 per year.
The goal of the Bear Aware Team, which is comprised of Crystal Lakes community members acting as Department of Wildlife volunteers, is to teach property owners about how to live with wildlife and to apply proven techniques to reduce human/bear interaction. The Team has had excellent success, encouraging property owners to "keep a clean camp," leaving nothing out (such as bird feeders) that will attract bears, and to use tools proven effective to discourage bears from breaking in to campers and cabins.
The year the Bear Aware Team was created saw 122 documented break-ins by the end of bear season in the fall. In 2006, that number dropped to 13. By 2007, the worst year on record for human/bear conflicts in Colorado, the Crystal Lakes area saw no break-ins at all. Crystal Lakes is now recognized as a model of community action, and programs around the country are being put into place to model the success achieved by the Crystal Lakes Bear Aware Team.
The approximately 25 members of the Bear Aware Team patrol the community regularly during the summer, watching for signs of bear break-ins and meeting with property owners to discuss reducing human/bear interactions. The Team effectively maintains a neighborhood watch program for bears.
Meeting Time and Place
We meet every fourth Sunday at 1:00 PM in Wapiti, April thru October. All association members are welcome. Please contact Jim Tiffin for more information.
2009 Bear Aware Team
Kate Kelly
Alice Schiel
Bob Strazer
Curt Livingston
David Smith
Diana Ward
Dolores Williams
Doug Blunt
Ed Miller
Harold Alexander
Jane Tiffin
Jerry Kalkman
Jim Tiffin
Jim Ward
Judy Dodero
Marian Kelly
Ray Williams
Jeanette Williams
Sherry Alexander
Steve Ault
Susan Vance
Ron Yowell
Ardie Yowell
Bear Aware Filing Hosts
Each filing has a primary point of contact. These individuals are trained in aversive conditioning tools and techniques. They patrol their respective filings at least once a week looking for break ins. They do not trespass but check from the road using binoculars. If a break in is found they notify the Crystal Lakes office. An investigation is then initiated and the property owner is contacted.
| Filing | Host | Phone | Alt Phone | Filing/Lot |
| 1 |
Kate Kelly Marian Kelly |
970-881-2049 | 07/007 | |
| 2 | Ed Miller | 970-215-8674 | 11/005 | |
| 3 | Jerry Kalkman | 970-484-8284 | 970-484-2252 | 03/093 |
| 4 |
Steve Ault Ron and Ardie Yowell |
970-396-4560 970-881-2267 |
970-346-8587 |
06/041 04/013 |
| 5 |
Steve Ault Ron and Ardie Yowell |
970-396-4560 970-881-2267 |
970-346-8587 |
06/041 04/013 |
| 6 | Susan Vance | 970-881-3644 | 06/098 | |
| 7 |
Kate Kelly Marian Kelly |
970-881-2049 | 07/007 | |
| 8 |
Curt Livingston Ed Miller |
970-881-2452 970-215-8674 |
08/087 11/005 |
|
| 9 |
Doug Blunt |
970-881-3758 | 09/030 | |
| 10 | Jim and Jane Tiffin | 970-881-3531 | 10/011A | |
| 11 | Bob Strazer | 970-881-2764 | 11/054 | |
| 12 |
Harold Alexander Sherry Alexander |
970-881-3836 | 12/072 | |
| 13 |
Jim and Diana Ward |
970-881-2523 | 13/047 | |
| 14 |
Doug Blunt |
970-881-3758 | 09/030 | |
| 15 |
Jim and Jane Tiffin |
970-881-3531 | 10/011A | |
| Elk Ridge |
|
Contact: Jim or Jane Tiffin 970-881-3531
Curt Livingston 970-881-2452
Division of Wildlife
Every time we're forced to destroy a bear, it's not just the bear that loses. We all lose a little piece of the wildness that makes Colorado so special. So please, get the information you need on living, vacationing, and spending time outdoors in bear country, and share it with your friends, neighbors, and community. Find practical guidelines that will help you do your part to prevent human-bear conflicts, and keep bears wild, on the Living with Bears pages.
Bear Deterrents
Click on the Bear Deterrents link for more information.
Reported Incidents
Click on the Reported Incidents link for more information from 2005 to the present.
Bear Damage Photos
Click on the Bear Damage Photos to view a photo gallery of bear damage.
Bear Websites
Click on the Bear Websites link for more information on bears.
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